2.2. Persons who evaded or deserted military service

• Draft evader: A draft evader is a Syrian male, above the age of 18, who has avoided being drafted into the SAA either by hiding form the Syrian authorities or by fleeing Syria.

• Deserter: A deserter is a former SAA soldier (e.g. a conscript, a non-commissioned officer (corporal or sergeant) or an officer) who has left his post or unit in the SAA and is thus no longer in active military service.

• Defector: A defector is a former SAA soldier who has left the SAA and defected to an armed opposition group in Syria.

‘Military service’ is used broadly to cover both military service and reserve service in the SAA.

Continue reading the common analysis on:

• 2.2.1. Military service: overview
• 2.2.2. Draft evaders
• 2.2.3. Military deserters and defectors