Syria: International fighters given high-ranking positions within the military

Syria’s new leaders have reportedly given some international Islamist fighters high-level positions throughout the nation’s armed forces.

The military is being reorganized by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – the Islamist group that now successfully guidelines the nation – following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.

Though the choice has not been confirmed by the brand new management, it’s prone to elevate issues inside and outdoors Syria concerning the function that radicalized international militants may play within the nation’s future.

A number of Syrian sources have inferred that of practically 50 new navy roles introduced, a minimum of six have been assigned to foreigners.

In accordance with the names revealed, they’re Chinese language Uyghurs, a Jordanian and a Turk. All would have obtained high-ranking positions equivalent to colonels or brigadier generals.

The function of international fighters in varied armed teams through the civil conflict is inflicting sturdy feelings in Syria.

Hundreds of fighters from many alternative international locations joined the rebellion in opposition to Assad, which became widespread armed battle when mass protests have been met with violence by safety forces.

Some fashioned their very own teams and others fashioned the core of the Islamic State group, which took management of huge areas of japanese Syria.

HTS’s opponents had lengthy accused it of being largely made up of international jihadists — an accusation utilized by Assad’s supporters to attempt to delegitimize the group because it mounted its last, decisive offensive in opposition to the regime.

However throughout his years working the insurgent enclave of Idlib, Ahmed al-Sharaa – the chief of HTS and now Syria – had gotten rid of a few of these international fighters in an effort to bolster his credibility. group as nationalist slightly than overtly. jihadist pressure.

Al-Sharaa’s message since coming to energy has repeatedly emphasised the imaginative and prescient of a unified Syrian state, by which all communities have to be revered and have a stake.

For individuals who worry his actions don’t match his phrases, this obvious want to formalize the positions of some outstanding international fighters could give them extra pause.

These appointments seem to have been made to reward fighters – whether or not from Syria or elsewhere – who performed an necessary function within the last victory in opposition to the regime.

For a similar cause, a few of the remaining international fighters – and their households – now seem prone to receive Syrian citizenship.

This drawback is only one of many that might complicate any profitable transition to a brand new political and social framework in Syria.

The brand new authorities are inserting a variety of significance on a nationwide dialogue convention which is being ready, however which is able to convey collectively representatives from all ranges of society – even when no date has been set.

The hope is that the convention will start the method of rebuilding the establishments of a damaged and divided nation.