Mandatory conscription in Autonomous Administration’s areas | Self-Defence Forces’ campaign is underway in Al-Raqqah

Reliable sources in Al-Raqqah city and countryside, which are under the control of Syria Democratic Forces, have informed SOHR that the campaign of mandatory conscription by “Self-Defence Forces” is still underway. The “Self-Defence Forces” continue to arrest young and adult males, driving them to compulsory military services which lasts for a whole year, after it had lasted for only six months previously. The Self-Defence command issued a circular in February addressing young men who were born between 1990 and 2004, including employees, employers and civilians to fill out applications of the mandatory conscription. It is worth noting that patients, people with special needs, a family’s single son and sons of “martyrs” are excluded, while deferment of military services would be granted to exclusive cases.

 

Since the beginning of March, hundreds of young men have joined the ranks of “Self-Defence Forces”, while a batch of 200 soldiers was graduated on Friday after undergoing a training course for 45 days. This batch will be driven to perform military service.

 

On the other hand, SOHR sources have reported growing popular discontent over the mandatory conscription campaign, the intensive deployment of military patrols in the city’s streets, makeshift checkpoints, inspection and driving young people to mandatory conscription by force.

 

On Friday, SOHR sources said that SDF were searching for young people to recruit them in its ranks for nearly a week. The campaign concentrated in al-Raqqa and its countryside, as well as in areas in eastern Aleppo countryside.

 

Military patrols are deployed on the main roads, roaming in residential neighbourhoods and near public places.

 

SDF managed to arrest about 400 young men from Al-Raqqah governorate, and dozens from eastern Aleppo countryside.