Ahmad Kanan
Since the outbreak of the Syrian war in March 2011, an obsession with travel has gripped Syrian youth, driven by several factors, first and foremost by the mandatory military service, which was characterized by its known start and indefinite end. Some young men have spent more than 10 years in service. Additionally, the alternative thought of paying an $8,000 exemption fee is out of reach for most, given that the average monthly income in Syria is just 50$, barely enough to cover even half of the necessities.
Indefinite Army Service or a Return Back Home in a Coffin
The phrase “going to the army” has become synonymous with either years of indefinite service or a quick return in a coffin. During the recent election campaign of the fleeing former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, launched under the slogan “Hope for Action”, many young Syrians, seeing no future, mockingly replaced it with “Hope for Tavel”.
Despite the high costs of passports and the limited number of countries granting visas to Syrians, often at high prices, many young people have still managed to leave the country.
Amjad al-Samadi, now living in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, spoke to +963, saying: “It felt like being on a death row, I counted down my last days before being conscripted into the army at 42 years old. Returning from service meant either coming back in a coffin or enduring endless years in uniform, no one knew for how long.”
Al-Samadi added that after graduating from university with a master’s degree in economics, he had spent years avoiding compulsory service. Later, he managed to secure a legal deferral through a settlement between the regime and the people of Dara seizing the opportunity, he decided to leave the country, despite the significant financial burden of obtaining a visa for Erbil. “It took some time to find a job, but now I work in a field unrelated to my expertise, but I think things going ok “. he said.
Regarding the possibility of returning after the regime’s fall, Al-Samadi stated that he would only consider it if there were laws in place to protect him as a citizen and guarantee his freedom and dignity. Otherwise, he was unlikely to return.
The Desire to Discover the World
Fadi Haddad, who is preparing to graduate from the Higher Institute of Performing Arts, expressed his aspirations for travel. He explained that his desire to leave was not solely driven by the country’s difficult conditions, which he believed would eventually improve both economically and socially.
Fadi told +963 that while security pressures, prosecutions, and mandatory military service had ended, and future safety seemed possible, he still wanted to explore the world. “So far, I have only known Damascus” he noted.
Mohammed al-Karki, a fifth-year medical student, shared his perspective, he revealed that he had considered leaving even before the fall of the regime, as he saw no future at the time. Studying at a private university, he faced limited opportunities to specialize due to a shortage of available seats. While he acknowledged that the situation had changed, Mohammad still saw travel as his primary option. However, he expressed hope that he might find an opportunity to specialize in his own country, something he deeply wished for.
Abdul Razak al-Khartar, a medical engineering student, reflected on his changing ambitions. He admitted that he had once considered travelling to escape the compulsory military service, but now, his focus had changed. “My ambition is to take part in rebuilding the country. Engineers indeed receive low salaries, but I hope the labour market will expand and demand will increase. I have a genuine desire to live and work here and contribute to reconstruction.”
Khadija al-Amir, a high school student, acknowledged the difficult choice many young people are facing and said to +963 “Nobody willingly abandons their homeland, but the conditions we live in here force us to think about leaving in search for a better life, frankly, I do like the idea of travelling.”
An Unknown Future and Postponed Dreams
Essam Abboud, a law school student, expressed his uncertainty about the future. Speaking to +963 he said, “It’s true that the regime has fallen, compulsory service has been abolished, and there are new opportunities on the horizon, however, statements from the new administration and the overall trajectory suggest that the road ahead is still long. That’s why leaving is still on the table for me. I’m at a stage in my life where I’m where I’m shaping my future, and I don’t want to waste time just waiting.”
Despite his concerns, Abboud emphasised his deep connection to his homeland. “This is my country. I love it, it means a lot to me, all my memories were made here. But in the end, I have to think about my future, and I want it to never happen.”
Regardless of his decision, he remained resolute about his identity. “No matter where I go, I will always belong to this country. I will always be Syrian.”
