❗️According to Reuters, the United States, France, and Germany, have expressed serious concerns to Syria’s new HTS-led government regarding the appointment of foreign fighters to senior military positions. – The Cradle

 ❗️According to Reuters, the United States, France, and Germany, have expressed serious concerns to Syria’s new HTS-led government regarding the appointment of foreign fighters to senior military positions.

US envoy Daniel Rubinstein addressed the issue directly with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Julani), during a meeting at the presidential palace in Damascus. Similarly, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock raised these concerns in discussions with Sharaa on 3 January.

In late 2024, Syria’s new administration made nearly 50 military appointments, including at least six foreign fighters from countries such as China, Turkiye, Egypt, and Jordan. Notable appointees include Abdulaziz Dawood Khudaberdi, a Chinese Uyghur militant linked to the Turkestan Islamic Party, and Egyptian Alaa Mohamed Abdel-Baki, previously sentenced to life in prison in absentia in Egypt on “terrorism charges.”

Syrian officials defend their decisions, stating that many of these foreign fighters have been in the country for over a decade, contributing significantly to the fight against former President Bashar al-Assad, and cannot be returned to their home countries where they may face persecution.

READ FULL ARTICLE: This article originally appeared on The Cradle

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