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Foreign Fighters in the Army: International and Popular Concerns About Syria Becoming a Haven for Extremists
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International and Local Reactions Reveal the Scale of Challenges Facing Syrian Military Institution Restructuring According to International Standards
Western envoys launched stern warnings to the new Syrian interim authorities about the risks of appointing foreign jihadists to high-ranking military positions, considering this a threat to regional security and an obstacle to developing international relations.
A diplomatic source revealed details of a meeting between US envoy Daniel Rubenstein and Syrian military operations leadership in Damascus, where he conveyed Washington's strong reservations about these appointments and their potential negative impact on bilateral relations.
The military appointments list included about fifty positions, with at least six foreign fighters, three of whom received brigadier general rank and three colonel rank, from multiple nationalities including China, Central Asia, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan.
Notable appointees included Jordanian Abdel Rahman al-Khateeb, Chinese Uyghur Abdel Aziz Khadabardi, and Egyptian Alaa Abdel Baky, who was tried in absentia in 2016 for terrorism-related charges.
Syrian authorities justified the appointments, arguing that these fighters cannot simply be returned to their home countries where they might face persecution, and it's better to keep them in Syria.
Syrian public reactions strongly rejected foreign recruitment, with citizens expressing concerns about the potential consequences and questioning the logic behind such appointments.
Local critics highlighted the potential risks of integrating foreign fighters into the military, emphasizing the need for a transparent and accountable restructuring process that prioritizes national security and international standards.
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