US Warns Syria’s New Administration Against Appointing Foreign Fighters in Military Roles
In a significant diplomatic move, the United States, through its envoy Daniel Rubenstein, has cautioned Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, against the appointment of foreign fighters in senior military roles. This warning was issued during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Damascus, as reported by Reuters, citing two informed sources.
Security and Image Concerns
The American official emphasized that such appointments could compromise the new Syrian government’s reputation in the U.S., potentially hindering diplomatic and military cooperation. “These appointments will not help them maintain their reputation in the United States,” the official stated.
French and German Involvement
The concerns are not limited to the U.S. alone. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also raised issues regarding the recruitment of
foreign fighters into the Syrian Army during their meeting with Al-Sharaa on January 3rd.
Background of the Appointments
Following the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8, the new administration has been reconstructing the armed forces. Late last year, Reuters reported that about 50 appointments were made, including at least six foreign fighters from China, Central Asia, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan. Notably, three of these fighters were appointed as brigadier generals, and at least three others as colonels.
Security Threat Perception
Foreign fighters are generally viewed by international capitals as a primary security threat, with fears that some might return to their home countries to execute attacks after gaining combat experience abroad. Despite this, Syrian officials argue that these fighters have sacrificed much to help overthrow Assad and deserve a place in Syrian society, possibly even citizenship.
International Reactions
No comment was available from the Syrian Ministry of Defense or the German Foreign Ministry. However, a U.S. State Department spokesperson mentioned ongoing dialogues with the transitional authorities in Damascus, describing the discussions as constructive and covering a wide range of local and international issues, with tangible progress on counter-terrorism
priorities, including against ISIS.
Broader Implications
The U.S., along with European and Arab nations, particularly Egypt and Jordan, are skeptical of
these appointments. There is a fear that such moves might send encouraging signals to cross-
border jihadists. Among those appointed are figures like Jordanian Abd al-Rahman Hussein al-
Khatib, Chinese Uyghur Abdulaziz Dawud Khudabardi, known as Zahid, and Egyptian Alaa
Mohamed Abdel Baqi, who fled Egypt in 2013 and was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment
on terrorism charges in 2016.
This situation underscores the complex dynamics of post-conflict Syria, where security,
governance, and international relations are intricately linked, posing challenges for the new
Syrian administration as it seeks to stabilize the country while managing international
expectations and security concerns.
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