DAMASCUS, Syria - Dozens of young people lined up in the Syrian capital, Damascus, earlier this week, hoping to be recruited as policemen as the country grapples with maintaining security weeks after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad.
The new authority, which came to power after a coalition of rebel groups spearheaded by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), toppled the former regime in a matter of days on December 8. They have called on the youth seeking employment as policemen to visit recruitment centers since.
"General Command asked us to open recruitment centers in all provinces that were under the former regime's control. And we initiated to open these centers one by one," said Abdullatif Said Ali, Recruitment Department Chief at the Interior Ministry.
The new administration focuses heavily on rebuilding state institutions, particularly in the capital, where there is a significant shortage of police personnel.
"We will open recruitment centers in all provinces to maintain security and stability," Ali added.
Hundreds of former Syrian soldiers lined up at the security centers in the capital throughout the week to hand over weapons and apply for possible recruitment after the HTS-led government issued an amnesty to former soldiers.
However, the call for recruits is not limited to former security personnel. Others can also apply.
"I submitted my application to the College of Police as there is security instability in the country," said Jihad Mohammed, a medical institute graduate from Damascus.
"The situation is going backwards and we have to make it progress. Everyone must fulfill his duty in this country," he added.
The new administration has also urged Syrians to return to work and has made an appeal to Syrian refugees worldwide to come back and participate in the rebuilding process.