Syria’s transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa said thousands of volunteers are joining the newly formed Syrian army following the fall of the former regime.
In a podcast released Monday with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesman Alastair Campbell and former Conservative minister Rory Stewart, Sharaa emphasized that military service in the new force is voluntary, not mandatory.
He noted that many young men had fled Syria to avoid the compulsory conscription imposed by the previous government, which had become a significant concern for Syrians after the country’s war erupted in 2011.
During the interview, Sharaa renewed his call for the lifting of Western sanctions on Syria, arguing that there is growing consensus among visitors to Damascus that the restrictions should be removed.
He said Syria faces significant security challenges and stressed that economic development is essential for achieving stability. Without growth, he warned, the country could face further chaos and insecurity.