Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a legislative decree granting a general amnesty for military deserters inside and outside the country or those who have avoided military service. The decree was published by state media on 9 October. Deserters should turn themselves in within 4 months for those inside the country and 6 months for those outside the country. Under Syrian military law, deserters can face years of prison if they leave their posts and do not report for service within a set amount of time. While the amnesty covers desertion, however, it does not cover fighting against the government or joining the rebels, regarded by the Syrian government as “terrorists”.