The Syrian Defense Ministry: More than 3000 defected officers returned to military service
In a move that reflects a clear shift in the Syrian Ministry of Defense’s policy toward defecting officers, Brigadier General Mohammed Mansour, head of the Officers’ Affairs Department, revealed that more than 3,000 defecting officers have either returned to the army or submitted official requests to return to military service.
Mansour explained that the Syrian defense minister has formed specialized committees to receive and organize the data of returning officers according to their ranks and specialties, noting that this return is taking place within the framework of what he described as “the phase of rebuilding and establishing the Syrian Arab Army,” where doors are open to all national cadres without exception or preconditions.
What’s striking in Mansour’s statement is that the ministry isn’t setting a specific timeframe for finalizing the file of defected officers, emphasizing that the personal and living conditions of officers in countries of asylum are taken into consideration to facilitate their return.
He added that the ministry has decided to pay monthly salaries to every officer who returns and is registered within the Ministry of Defense’s records, even if they aren’t directly appointed to any military formation.
Mansour emphasized that the Syrian army at this stage “requires all military and scientific specialties,” and that the return of defected officers is a fundamental pillar in the process of revitalizing the armed forces.
He called on all those who had previously left to return and participate in rebuilding the military institution.
