Syria regime launches conscription campaign amid threat of US strikes

The Syrian government has launched a conscription campaign, forcing civilians in certain areas to join the military amid reports of a possible Western coalition forming against the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad, Syrian news agency Zaman Al-Wasl reported yesterday.

The move is one of several precautionary measures taken by Syrian authorities, which has included mass arrests of the relatives of former army defectors, according to activists in pro-regime areas.

The Syrian air force has relocated its MiG-29 and Su-24 fighter jets from the Al-Seen and T4 airbases in the desert to the Russian-operated Khmeimim Air Base base in the eastern Latakia province. Russia has also evacuated soldiers and missiles from the Al-Dumayr airbase and redeployed them to Damascus.

A military source further stated that advanced air defence systems have been deployed around the capital and near the Republican Palace. Six defence systems equipped with short to medium range surface-to-air missiles have also been placed in Mezzeh military airport.

The US, along with the UK and France has been weighing a decision as to whether to launch airstrikes against Syria following a chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of Douma last weekend that left over 70 people dead.

READ: Speculation rife over Syria strike

Tensions rose further earlier this week when the Russian ambassador to Lebanon vowed that his country would shoot down any missiles fired at Syria, with the Kremlin warning the White House today against moves that could “destabilise” the situation.

President Trump responded to the reports on Wednesday morning on Twitter, stating that Russia should “get ready … they [the missiles] will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” He clarified that the US position remains undecided the day after, tweeting that an attack on Syria may not take place “so soon at all”.

Yesterday, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zaharova condemned the threats from US President Donald Trump aimed not only at Syria but also Russia, but urged Moscow and Washington to solve their differences.

“If there are problems, they must be solved at the negotiating table,” she said.

Yesterday, the Trump and his national security aides met to discuss their options. British Prime Minister Theresa May also called a meeting with government ministers to discuss UK participation in any future military action yesterday. British submarines have already manoeuvred within striking range of Syria, whilst awaiting the final decision.

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