Syria's Golani appoints foreign Islamist fighters to military positions

DAMASCUS,— Syria’s new Islamist administration has integrated several foreign fighters into its military, including individuals from Uyghur communities, Jordan, and Turkey, according to sources with knowledge of the appointments told Reuters.

The move comes as the leadership, spearheaded by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as al-Nusra Front and affiliated to al-Qaeda, seeks to unify disparate Islamist rebel factions into a professionalized armed force following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.

On Sunday, the Defense Ministry announced 49 new military appointments. Among them were at least six foreign fighters, with three reportedly elevated to brigadier-general and three others to colonel, a Syrian military source disclosed.

These foreign individuals had previously served in key roles during the lengthy civil war. Syrian government representatives declined to comment on the rationale behind the appointments.

The decision has sparked concern among some Syrians and international observers who worry about the potential influence of Islamist ideologies on governance. Critics question the commitment of the new regime to its promises of inclusivity and non-sectarian governance, particularly toward Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities.

A HTS source told Reuters that the recent appointments are “a small gesture to acknowledge the sacrifices made by Islamist fighters in our struggle for freedom from Assad’s rule.”

Abdulaziz Dawood Khudaberdi, also known as Zahid, a Chinese Uyghur militant and commander of the separatist Turkistan Islamic Party’s (TIP) forces in Syria, was promoted to brigadier-general, according to a TIP statement. A Syrian military source confirmed the appointment.

Two other Uyghur fighters, Mawlan Tarsoun Abdussamad and Abdulsalam Yasin Ahmad, were given the rank of colonel, the TIP statement added. The statement congratulated the new appointees and the Uyghur community.

The names of all three men appeared in a Defense Ministry announcement on Sunday, though their nationalities were not disclosed. The TIP is believed to have hundreds of fighters in Syria and seeks to establish an Islamic state in parts of China and Central Asia, home to a large Uyghur Muslim population.

Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011, attracted thousands of foreign Sunni Muslim fighters, many of whom joined extremist groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS) or HTS. While some established their own factions, others joined established organizations that contributed to the sectarian dimensions of the conflict.

HTS, under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani, evolved from its earlier associations with al-Qaeda and has since sought to moderate its image and acts like a political Muslim Brotherhood group.

Sharaa, now the de facto ruler of Syria, has worked to “Syrianize” the organization, expelling dozens of foreign jihadists as part of a broader effort to consolidate power. In remarks aired Sunday, Sharaa stressed that Syria “cannot be governed with the mindset of militias,” signaling a shift toward centralized governance.

Citizenship for Foreign Fighters

The new administration has indicated that foreign fighters who supported the anti-Assad campaign may be granted Syrian citizenship as a reward for their efforts. This potential policy, aimed at incentivizing loyalty, is seen as a controversial step in the broader reconstruction of the nation.

While Turkey, which supports the HTS Islamist leadership, opposed the presence of foreign Kurdish fighters in the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria, it has remained notably silent on the inclusion of Islamist foreign fighters in Syria’s newly formed military under HTS leadership.

SDF Commander General Mazloum Abdi, speaking on December 20, 2024 reiterated that foreign Kurdish fighters allied with his forces would leave if a comprehensive ceasefire with Turkey is achieved. The SDF, a coalition that has played a pivotal role in combating ISIS, remains the de facto military force of Syrian Kurdistan, also known as Rojava.

The inclusion of foreign nationals in Syria’s military marks a significant moment in the country’s post-war landscape, raising questions about governance, stability, and the future of its diverse population. Observers continue to watch closely as the nation navigates its complex reconstruction phase.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)