4.3. Profiles related to military service

COMMON ANALYSIS | Last update: December 2025

This section covers the treatment by the Transitional Government of draft evaders, deserters and defectors from the Syrian Army of the Assad regime, and of individuals fearing conscription from the new Syrian Army (i.e. the Transitional Government army).

For the situation of members of Assad armed forces who were still active when the Assad regime fell, refer to 4.1.1. (Former) members of Assad’s armed forces and pro-Assad armed groups.

In the immediate aftermath of the regime change, the Transitional Government declared a general amnesty for individuals who had evaded military service or deserted while serving under the Assad administration. There are no indications that this amnesty is not implemented as announced. Defected officers from the former Syrian army have been included in the new MoD. Defectors under Assad are relied upon in the new army.

Following the fall of the Assad regime, the newly established Transitional Government announced the termination of mandatory military conscription, except in circumstances classified as national emergencies. The Syrian army is reportedly transitioning into a volunteer-based force, with efforts aimed at encouraging public participation to safeguard national borders. Nonetheless, the possibility of conscription campaigns being reintroduced in response to emergencies cannot be excluded.

 Step 1: Do the reported acts amount to persecution?  

No acts of persecution have been reported against individuals who had evaded military service or deserted while serving under the Assad administration, and against defectors from the Syrian Army of the Assad regime.

Additionally, even though the Transitional Government abolished conscription, it has to be noted that conscription itself, which is a legitimate right of a state, would in general not meet the requirements of Article 9 QD/QR.