The former soldiers reported to the headquarters previously occupied by Assad’s Baath party in Damascus, which ruled the nation for over sixty years. Upon arrival, they were greeted by former rebels who had taken control of the city on December 8. Each soldier was assigned a registration number and handed a list of questions, after which they were allowed to leave the premises.
Those outside the building shared with reporters that their enlistment in Assad’s forces was motivated by the promise of a stable income and access to free medical services. The unexpected fall of Assad led to a situation where many soldiers and security personnel could not defend against the advancing rebel factions. With the new authorities now in charge and Assad residing in exile in Russia, an investigation has commenced into the crimes perpetrated by the previous regime, including the discovery of mass graves and dire conditions in military and intelligence-run prisons infamous for torture and executions.
Lieutenant Colonel Walid Abd Rabbo, affiliated with the interim Interior Ministry, noted that the army has been officially disbanded. Currently, the new government has yet to determine if those who are deemed innocent of bloodshed will be eligible to rejoin the military. The interim leadership has committed itself to holding accountable those responsible for the victimization of civilians during Assad’s regime.
In the past few days, additional sites for the interrogation and registration process of ex-soldiers have been established across other regions in Syria. Abdul-Rahman Ali, 43, who last served in Aleppo until its capture by rebel forces in early December, expressed his uncertainty about what the future holds during the reconciliation process. He recounted receiving orders to abandon his post, after which he discarded his weapon and changed into civilian attire, undertaking a 14-hour journey on foot to reach Salamiyeh, and then a bus to Damascus.
Having earned 700,000 pounds (approximately $45) a month while in Assad’s army, Ali stated his willingness to serve his country once more. Inside the registration office, soldiers formed short lines as interrogators conducted their questioning, utilizing written forms for documentation.
An interrogator, speaking on the condition of anonymity, commented on the soldiers, stating, “I see regret in their eyes,” as he engaged with a man who now works at a shawarma restaurant in Harasta, a suburb of Damascus. The interrogator inquired about the soldier’s rifle, to which he responded that he had left it at his previous base. After collecting the soldier’s military ID, the interrogator remarked, “He has become a civilian,” emphasizing that the authorities would conduct their own investigation before re-interviewing the same soldiers in the coming weeks to ensure consistency in their accounts.
After nearly two hours of questioning, the interrogator reported having spoken to 20 soldiers and anticipated that this number would rise as the sessions continued.