In Syria, military service is mandatory.
I was very unlucky and was drafted into the worst unit.
Words can’t describe how difficult my service was. Our commanders often punished us for no reason. They would wake us up at 2:00AM, throw water on us, and leave us naked, even during the coldest nights of winter. But I was also lucky that I was part of the last group of soldiers to be released from duty since. I served for only 2 years.

The best day of my life was the day I was released from the army.
I felt as if I had been reborn, like I was walking on air.

-Fouad ,27 
-Aleppo, Syria