Eight years on, Syria army conscripts pack bags for home Former Syrian conscript Mohammad Damour takes photos in Damascus as he pursues his dream of becoming a journalist after being demobilised from the Syrian army following eight years of military service. Before Syria's conflict erupted in 2011, men 18 and older had to serve up to two years in the armed forces, after which they remained part of the reserves. But when war began, anyone enlisted stayed on active duty. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES