The Times: hundreds of Syrians being forced to join the Syrian army in preparation for the attack on Idlib

British newspaper The Times published a report by author Richard Spencer in which he wrote that, Syrian men are being forced to join the ranks of the Syrian army before the final attack on Idlib, the last stronghold of the opposition in Syria.

The writer in his report said that hundreds of Syrian men were assembled and forced to join the ranks of the army, adding that this step comes after a large campaign against those fleeing the compulsory army service or from the reserves.

“This sudden step has not been officially unveiled or the age of joining reservists has been raised from 42 to above”, he said.

He added that the Syrian army has been strengthening its capabilities since last year in preparation for the largest operation in 8 years and the restoration of the last opposition strongholds in Idlib.

He added that there were many images of Syrian men gathered at checkpoints.

According to reports from activists, more than 300,000 Syrians are close to ending their military service or training to join the ranks of the army.

The residents of Damascus, Aleppo and the northern city of Deir Al Zour confirmed that the Syrian army is examining the identity papers of the individuals at the checkpoints and they have a list of names of those wanted for military service and reservists.

The newspaper said that the eastern Ghouta is one of the most areas beside southern Syria like Daraa that have seen a wave of arrests in recent times, according to the Times report, adding that journalists loyal to the Syrian government denied that the Syrian army searched homes in search of those fleeing the compulsory army service or reserve ranks.

“When somebody walks on the streets of Damascus, the majority of men are over the age of forty because many of them are either serving in military service or fled the country”, the report quoted a government employee in Damascus as saying.

He added that many young men who were forced to join the military service in the Syrian capital were arrested when they passed through checkpoints in the city, where their special cards were withdrawn and asked to join and perform their compulsory military service.

The report writer concluded by saying that according to the agreement reached last September, Russia and the Syrian regime promised not to launch any attacks on Idlib, however Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, a few days ago, described the situation in Idlib as “a haven for terrorists and a target for the Syrian army”.