Reuters on Friday reported that US, French, and German envoys have expressed serious concerns over Syria's new Islamist leadership appointing foreign jihadists to senior military positions. The move, viewed as a security threat and damaging to Syria's international image, was raised during meetings with Syrian officials earlier this month, according to diplomatic sources.

US envoy Daniel Rubinstein directly addressed the issue with Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during a meeting at the presidential palace in Damascus. "These appointments will not help them with their reputation in the US," a US official stated. Similar concerns were allegedly raised by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, during a discussion with Sharaa on January 3. 

Controversial Appointments

The controversy stems from late 2024 appointments of nearly 50 individuals to military positions, including six foreign fighters. Among them are Chinese Uyghur militant Abdulaziz Dawood Khudaberdi, also known as Zahid, Egyptian militant Alaa Mohamed Abdelbaqy, and Jordanian citizen Abdul Rahman Hussein al-Khatib. Zahid is linked to the Turkistan Islamic Party, a group designated as terrorist by Beijing, while Abdelbaqy, previously sentenced to life in absentia in Egypt, was a key figure in al-Qaeda-affiliated networks.

Saifiddin Tadjiboev, a 41-year-old Tajik wanted in his home country for terrorism and mercenary activities, has reportedly been appointed commander of the operational headquarters in Syria's new Defense Ministry. pic.twitter.com/FGECv1vgi3

— BZ studios (@BravoZStudio) January 10, 2025

Western nations and Arab allies, including Egypt and Jordan, have voiced opposition to these appointments, fearing they may embolden transnational jihadist networks. Diplomats also worry about the challenges Syria's new rulers face in managing a diverse array of factions while seeking international legitimacy and aid for reconstruction.

Read more: Syrian Defense Minister meets with armed factions for integration

Syrian officials defended their decision, explaining that many of these foreign fighters have been in the country for over a decade, contributing significantly to the fight against Assad, and cannot be returned to their home countries where they may face persecution.

"Maybe this is a middle path that works for everybody," Aaron Zelin, Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Reuters, adding that the approach could mitigate risks locally and globally, though concerns remain.