page_title: Self-Defense Forces (NES regions)
section_title: Conscription, training and service
hierarchical_section_title: Self-Defense Forces (NES regions) / Conscription, training and service
caption_attribution_description: English: HXP (Self Defense Forces)
context_page_description: Self-Defense Forces is a multi-ethnic territorial defense militia and the only conscripted armed force in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. As a self-defense force, manpower for the HXP is recruited locally.
context_section_description: An official of the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria has stated that the self-defense duty “is not conscription” and that “it’s a natural right to defend yourselves, if there is no protection, people will be eliminated and finished.” HXP has become the first and only armed force of conscription in Northeastern Syria.
  The formation and conscription of the HXP is legally based on the self-defense duty laws (Kurdish: Erka Xweparastinê‎) of the different NES regions, which has been respectively approved by the Legislative Assembly (Kurdish: Meclîsa Zagonsaz‎) of every canton. According to the law, the Defense Council (Kurdish: Desteya Parastin‎) of each canton will open a center for Self-Defense Duty (Kurdish: Navenda Erka Xweparastinê‎) to register and recruit for the HXP.
  The introduction of conscription has caused some tensions in Northeastern Syria. Some people attempt to escape the recruitment in different ways (for example, traveling abroad to Turkey and Iraq, not registering at the Centers for Self-Defense Duty). Thus the Asayish is ordered to arrest people who escape the self-defense duty and force them to undertake the duty. The conscription has also been criticized and rejected by Kurdish National Council, the main opposition party in Northeastern Syria.
  The recruits are to be trained by the YPG at the camps. The training generally lasts for 45 days, but sometimes for 40 days (for example, the first session of HXP training in the Jazira canton lasts for 40 days) or for one month (like the first session of HXP training in the Afrin canton). The training includes military structure and tactics, ideology and interaction with civilians. After training, the recruit will begin service in the HXP.
  The HXP also maintain a special forces unit.
caption: HXP militiamen on parade.
exif: {}