Published : 15-11-2021
The number of youths attempting to elude regime-imposed military service with pro-regime armed groups in Syria, including the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA), has gone up.
Private sources that spoke with AGPS on condition of anonymity attributed the increasing evasion to the psychological stress and mistreatment inflicted on conscripts in the war-ravaged country.
In recently-disclosed testimonies, a number of breakaways revealed how their food and personal belongings have been stolen by high-ranking officers. Conscripts have also been subjected to poor hygiene and medical neglect. Volunteers have had their salaries abruptly lowered.
Palestinian refugees who joined the pro-regime battalions in Syria have been enduring serious crackdowns and abuses. Many of them said they have been forced to carry out exhausting personal chores for government officers against their will and under threat of punishment. Even those who have had their security files worked out have been involved in forced labor.
The conscripts’ families continue to urge the Syrian regime to lay off their relatives who have served in the army for over five years.
Earlier this year, the Syrian regime announced its intent to seize the property of military dodgers, in reference to people eluding government-imposed obligation to serve in the military forces.
Brigadier-General Ilyas Beitar said draft evaders aged 42 and above will have their property and money confiscated. An exception will be made to those who paid 8,000 USD as a fine.
The Syrian government continues to drag Palestinian refugees to mandatory military conscription, forcing dozens to become internally displaced and dozens more to seek refuge in other countries.
Shortly after the outburst of the deadly warfare, the Syrian government forced Palestinian refugees aged 18 and above to join affiliated militias for periods of at least one year and a half.
Those who refuse conscription are subjected to crackdowns, abductions and even executions. As a result, thousands fled the tension-stricken country in the hunt for a safer shelter.
The number of youths attempting to elude regime-imposed military service with pro-regime armed groups in Syria, including the Palestine Liberation Army (PLA), has gone up.
Private sources that spoke with AGPS on condition of anonymity attributed the increasing evasion to the psychological stress and mistreatment inflicted on conscripts in the war-ravaged country.
In recently-disclosed testimonies, a number of breakaways revealed how their food and personal belongings have been stolen by high-ranking officers. Conscripts have also been subjected to poor hygiene and medical neglect. Volunteers have had their salaries abruptly lowered.
Palestinian refugees who joined the pro-regime battalions in Syria have been enduring serious crackdowns and abuses. Many of them said they have been forced to carry out exhausting personal chores for government officers against their will and under threat of punishment. Even those who have had their security files worked out have been involved in forced labor.
The conscripts’ families continue to urge the Syrian regime to lay off their relatives who have served in the army for over five years.
Earlier this year, the Syrian regime announced its intent to seize the property of military dodgers, in reference to people eluding government-imposed obligation to serve in the military forces.
Brigadier-General Ilyas Beitar said draft evaders aged 42 and above will have their property and money confiscated. An exception will be made to those who paid 8,000 USD as a fine.
The Syrian government continues to drag Palestinian refugees to mandatory military conscription, forcing dozens to become internally displaced and dozens more to seek refuge in other countries.
Shortly after the outburst of the deadly warfare, the Syrian government forced Palestinian refugees aged 18 and above to join affiliated militias for periods of at least one year and a half.
Those who refuse conscription are subjected to crackdowns, abductions and even executions. As a result, thousands fled the tension-stricken country in the hunt for a safer shelter.
