Syria: Foreign fighters were given commanding positions in the army

Syria’s new leaders have reportedly appointed some foreign Islamist fighters to high official positions in the country’s armed forces.

The army is being reorganized by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – the Islamist group that now effectively rules the country – after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.

While the new leadership has not confirmed the move, it is likely to raise concerns in Syria and beyond about the role radicalized foreign fighters could play in the country’s future.

Several Syrian sources concluded that of the nearly 50 new military roles that have been announced, at least six have gone to foreigners.

Based on the published names, among them there are Chinese Uighurs, citizens of Jordan and Turkey. All of them are said to have attained the high rank of colonels or brigadier generals.

The role of foreign fighters in various armed groups during the civil war is causing strong feelings in Syria.

Thousands of fighters from various countries joined the uprising against Assad as it escalated into an all-out armed conflict as mass protests were met with violence by security forces.

Some formed their own groups, while others formed the core of the Islamic State group, which has taken control of large regions in eastern Syria.

Opponents of HTS have long accused it of being largely made up of foreign jihadists — a charge Assad supporters have used to try to delegitimize the group as it launches its latest, determined offensive against the regime.

But in the years he has been in charge of the rebel enclave in Idlib, Ahmed al-Sharaa – the leader of HTS, now Syria – has been getting rid of some of these foreign fighters in an attempt to strengthen his group’s credentials as a nationalist rather than an overtly jihadist force.

Al-Sharaa’s message since coming to power has repeatedly emphasized the vision of a unified Syrian state in which all communities must be respected and have a vested interest.

For those concerned that his actions may not match his words, this apparent move to frame the positions of some prominent foreign militants may give them even more thought.

It appears that these appointments were made to reward those fighters – from Syria or elsewhere – who played a significant role in the eventual triumph over the regime.

For the same reason, some of the remaining foreign fighters – along with their families – now appear likely to be granted Syrian citizenship.

This is just one of many challenges that could complicate any successful transition to a new political and social structure in Syria.

The new authorities attach great importance to the Conference on National Dialogue, which is being prepared with the participation of representatives of all walks of life – although the date has not been determined.

It is hoped that the conference will start the process of rebuilding the institutions of the broken and divided country.