Assad's soldiers lay down arms: They join the new army

Following the overthrow of the former regime in Syria, soldiers and police who served on behalf of the regime continue to surrender their weapons. 

There is significant activity at weapons surrender centers established in many cities, particularly in the capital, Damascus. The new government aims to have weapons issued by the former regime returned to the state through this process and for members of these forces to reintegrate into society and gain a civilian identity.

'THE NATIONAL ARMY IS THE TOP PRIORITY'

Syria's transitional government has accelerated efforts to bring opposition groups under a single umbrella following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. The new Minister of Defense, Murhaf Abu Kasra, is holding meetings with opposition groups, inviting all armed forces to unite under the command of the Syrian Ministry of Defense. Abu Kasra stated, "Our goal is to stabilize the organizational structure of the army and establish a national army."

GENERAL AMNESTY AND TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE

The new administration has declared a general amnesty for soldiers, police, and intelligence officers who served the former regime.

 During this process, while former personnel surrender their weapons, they are applying to centers established to obtain civilian identification cards. Citizens who had surrendered their civilian IDs because military service was mandatory during the Assad era are now aiming to reintegrate into society by obtaining new identification.

QUEUES FORMING FOR THE NEW ARMY 

While weapons are being surrendered on one hand, former soldiers and police are forming long queues at centers to join the new army on the other. The new government emphasizes that establishing a national army is the most important step in the country's reconstruction.

News Source: 12punto