American, French, and German envoys have warned the new administration in Syria that its appointment of “foreign jihadis” to senior military positions represents a “security concern and bad” for its image at a time when it seeks to establish relations with foreign countries.

Reuters reported on Friday, January 10, that an American official stated that the warning from the United States came as part of Western efforts to push the new Syrian leaders to reconsider this step.

The official added that the warning was issued during a meeting between the American envoy, Daniel Rubinstein, and the leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on January 8 in Damascus.

The official noted that these appointments “will not help them enhance their reputation in the United States.”

Another official familiar with the talks told Reuters that the foreign ministers of France and Germany, Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena Baerbock, also addressed the issue of foreign fighters recruited into the army during their meeting with al-Sharaa on January 3.

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which dominates decision-making in Damascus, along with the “jihadist groups” allied with it, includes many foreign fighters in its ranks, who came to Syria after the outbreak of the Syrian revolution 13 years ago.

Western capitals generally see foreign fighters as a major security threat, as they suspect that some may seek to carry out attacks in their home countries after gaining experience abroad, according to Reuters.

The agency quoted officials in the new Syrian administration (unnamed) as saying that the foreign fighters “made sacrifices” to help overthrow al-Assad and will have a place in Syria, adding that “they could be granted citizenship.”

Since the overthrow of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the United States and several European and Arab countries have collaborated with the new administration to push towards a comprehensive political transition and cooperation in combating terrorism and limiting Iranian influence in the region.

On Friday, the US State Department announced a meeting that included the foreign ministers of the United States, Italy, and Britain, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Vice President of the European Commission, French Director for the Middle East and North Africa Anne Grillo, and German Political Director Günter Sutter, to discuss the situation in Syria.

According to the US State Department, citing Secretary Antony Blinken, the attendees emphasized the need for all groups in Syria to respect human rights, support international humanitarian law, and ensure that Syria does not pose a threat to its neighbors or become a base for terrorism, while taking all necessary precautions to protect civilians, including minorities.

Jihadis and foreigners in the army

On December 31, 2024, two Syrian sources told Reuters that the new administration had included some foreign fighters, including Uyghurs, Jordanians, and Turks, in the armed forces as Damascus attempts to form a professional army from a mix of opposition groups.

The new Syrian administration did not respond to requests for comment regarding the appointments of foreigners in the army, while sources told Reuters that out of around 50 military positions announced by the Ministry of Defense, at least six went to foreigners.

Over recent weeks, promotions for officers have spread on social media that Enab Baladi was unable to verify their accuracy completely, including the promotion of leaders in opposition factions, some of whom do not come from a military background, notably the newly appointed defense minister.

The highest military ranks for promotion were to the rank of Major General, granted to Murhaf Abu Qasra, previously known as “Abu Hassan 600,” who is not a former officer and was the commander of the military wing of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is considered the most prominent faction within the Military Operations Administration.

The other general is the defector captain from the previous regime’s army in 2012, Ali Nour al-Din al-Nasan.

Murhaf Abu Qasra was appointed defense minister, and Ali al-Nasan was appointed chief of staff, while a decision regarding the positions of the other figures announced for promotion has yet to be issued.

The initial promotion, alongside Abu Qasra and al-Nasan, included the promotion of five individuals to the rank of Brigadier General and 42 individuals to the rank of Colonel, followed by an annex to the decision that included “number 8,” promoting six individuals to the rank of Brigadier General.

The decision to promote officers in the newly reformed Syrian army includes names of foreigners, and the new government’s official channels have not responded on the matter.