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Why Assad is scaling down military readiness across Syria

Due to the military budget deficit and in a bid to absorb the anger of loyalists and army soldiers, the Syrian regime decided to scale down the readiness of its army and armed forces.
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ALEPPO, Syria — The Syrian regime's decision to reduce the readiness of its army and armed forces has raised a panoply of questions related to the motivation and timing behind the decision on the military and economic conditions in Syria and raised the question as to whether the regime is seeking to convey specific messages to parties influencing Syrian affairs.

On Jan. 10, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a circular ordering a rollback of army mobilization to regular level, meaning the level maintained nine years ago before the start of the conflict.

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