State of the World from NPR Why Syria's Military Imploded So Quickly
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Dec 18, 2024 The rapid disintegration of Syria's military is explored through personal accounts from former soldiers in Damascus. The harsh realities of mandatory service reveal the trauma and oppression inflicted by the Assad regime. As soldiers confront moral dilemmas amidst civil conflict, stories of desertion illustrate their struggles for survival. The podcast captures a profound sense of resilience and hope among the Syrian people, even as they face the might of a once-feared military.
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Aisha Hamedi's Sons
- Leila Fadl visits Aisha Hamedi's home in Ghazlaniyah, a neighborhood near Damascus.
- Many of Hamedi's sons, former soldiers, were detained and tortured by Assad's regime.
Torture Accounts
- Former soldiers recount torture experiences in Assad's prisons, including electrocution and being hung.
- One former soldier describes having to carry his brother due to severe injuries from the torture.
Extended Military Service
- Syrian men faced mandatory military service, extended indefinitely due to the civil war's length.
- Soldiers endured poor conditions, low pay, and had to resort to bribes and borrowing money.