Syrian President Assad grants amnesty to army deserters, draft dodgers

In the decree issued on his social media feeds on Tuesday, President Assad said the amnesty covered all punishments for desertion inside or outside Syria.

Men inside Syria will have four months to turn themselves in to authorities for investigations while those outside will have six months, according to the decree.

While the amnesty covers desertion, it does not cover fighting against the government or joining the terrorists.

“This decree does not include fugitives from justice unless they turn themselves in within 4 months for those inside the country and 6 months for those outside the country,” Syria’s SANA news agency reported.

Tens of thousands of Syrian men are wanted by the government for not serving in the military or deserting the army during the years-long war waged by terrorists.

Under Syrian military law, deserters could be jailed for years if they leave their posts and do not report for service within a set amount of time.

The amnesty comes as Syria seems to be emerging from over seven years of foreign-backed militancy with the government preparing to liberate Idlib Province, the last terrorist stronghold in the country.