Syria's President Bashar al-Assad issued a general amnesty Tuesday for army deserters and those who have avoided compulsory military service during the country's seven-year war.
The decree, published by state media, said the amnesty did not include criminals and those on the run unless they turn themselves in to authorities. Deserters in Syria have four months to do so; those abroad have six months.
The new amnesty does not include army defectors, some of whom are still fighting against Syria, mostly in the northwestern province of Idlib, the last major jihadist stronghold in the country.
While it mentions being exempt from "penalties", Tuesday's decree did not specify if defectors or draft dodgers would ultimately be sent to serve.
Before 2011, men aged 18 and older had to serve up to two years in the army, after which they became reserves available for call-up in times of crisis.
In May, the army issued orders for men conscripted for compulsory service in 2010 to return home after eight years of fighting.
