From Agencies

Syria reduces compulsory military service by three months

Xinhua
Updated: 2011-03-20 05:30:00

DAMASCUS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued on Saturday a legislative decree to shorten the period of the mandatory military service from 21 months to 18 months, Syrian official SANA news agency reported.

The decree which will take effect on June 1 set the duration of the mandatory service for Syrians who haven't passed the fifth grade of their primary studies to 21 months.

Syria decreased the period of the obligatory military twice, back in 2005 from two and a half years to two years, and in 2008 the period was decreased to 21 months.

The Syrian president is commander in chief of the Syrian armed forces, comprising some 400,000 troops upon mobilization. The military is a conscripted force. Males serve in the military upon reaching the age of 18.