"The Army"... Broader Recruitment and Stricter Discipline

Nearly six decades after its enactment, the Military Law has entered a new phase of modernization, with amendments granting the military administration greater flexibility in organizing recruitment, selection, and discipline. The amendments also open the door to contracting with professionals and specialized categories under special contracts, while introducing new types of leave subject to updated regulations.

The amendment raised the maximum term of liberty-restricting penalties for disciplinary violations from 60 to 90 days. It also vested the Minister of Defense with the authority to determine the age of acceptance, exceptions thereto, and the medical fitness requirements for military service, thereby enabling the updating of these criteria in line with the needs of the armed forces.

The explanatory memorandum to Decree-Law No. (92) of 2026, amending certain provisions of Law No. (32) of 1967 concerning the Army, noted that Law No. (32) was issued nearly six decades ago. During this period, the armed forces have undergone successive organizational, administrative, and operational developments, necessitating a review of certain provisions to align with modern military operational requirements. This review aims to grant the military administration greater flexibility in managing certain executive matters that naturally evolve with the changing needs of the armed forces, without compromising the fundamental guarantees established for military personnel.

The memorandum indicated that Article (23) stipulates raising the maximum term of liberty-restricting penalties from 60 to 90 days, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the disciplinary violation system and maintaining military discipline, without affecting the other provisions and guarantees established in the article.

Article (32), in paragraphs (2 and 3), grants the Minister of Defense the authority to determine the age of acceptance and the exceptions thereto by decision, rather than stipulating them rigidly in the law. This allows for keeping pace with the needs of the armed forces and changes related to recruitment and enlistment policies.

Article (5) adds a new paragraph permitting the acceptance of professionals in the army, as well as other categories, under special contracts in accordance with decisions and regulations issued by decision of the Minister of Defense.