With the Syrian war mostly wrapped up, the process of reintegrating the public after a bloody rebellion has begun. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree on Tuesday offering blanket amnesty for those who either deserted the military during the war, or refused conscription, provided that they report for duty within the next several months.
With many refugees citing fear of punishment for not serving in the military as a reason not to return to Syria, the amnesty gives them special dispensation, giving them a full six months to return to Syria and report for duty, compared to four months for those within Syria.
Some of this is reflective of Syria’s shortage of military recruits after a long, ugly war. Yet with the fighting all but over, Assad is also clearly keen to give the appearance of putting the house back in order, and getting refugees to return would go a long way toward that.
Syria faced large-scale desertions early in the war, and a lot of people took their families abroad during that time. Though deserters will not face punishment, those who joined rebel factions are not covered.
Deserters have no incentive to go back. After all, why go back to that hell hole when you can get paid by the Canadian government all-inclusive to live in Merritt or Holiday Inn hotel in Toronto.
This may be true of some. But most people would prefer going back to their homes, doing business as before, surrounded by friends and family. Rate of return to cities is high, especially Aleppo. One error in this article — there is no shortage of recruits. While tbere is no amnesty for refugees who joined Islamist factions, in Syria such amnesties are given everytime reconciliation agreement was signed with local islamic strongmen. At this time, there is an abundance of those that want to get credit for participating in army, as this will give them veterans’ benefits once discharged. Many refugees live in impossible conditions in Turkey and Greece, Lebanon or Iraq. Those will be more then happy to come back as a family. Families were reluctant to leave those young men behind, as families received sustinance help in food. Young men alone remaining in those camps had no future. Those young men that made it into Europe and beyond will not return, will try their luck forging new life. But I expect camps in Greece, Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan to empty very soon.
I suppose those who truly want to go back will once law and order is restored and all foreign powers and their terrorist recruits have left Syria.
Another of these “blaming the refugees” comments. Most people want to live in their own countries even if they have been destroyed by war.
I can’t couch you on your reading comprehension Ms. Rosy. As a wise man once said, to known your enemy, you must first fight them.
Russia is trying to help with the return and resettlement, but of course the Americans much prefer continuing destruction and conflict as they are helping to cause in Yemen.