A recent Washington Post report has brought renewed attention to one of the most pressing challenges facing Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa: the continued presence of thousands of foreign fighters on Syrian soil. Their future has become a focal point of U.S.-Syrian negotiations, particularly in light of the recent thaw in relations between Damascus and Washington, brokered by Saudi Arabia.
According to the report, these fighters—many of whom hail from European and Asian countries—are increasingly seen as a political and security liability. As the United States intensifies pressure on Syria to resolve this “foreign fighter file,” their presence has also become a sticking point for international engagement and reconstruction efforts.
Between Integration and Isolation
While the transitional Syrian government has taken steps to contain and restrict the movements of foreign combatants, the issue has proven deeply complex. Many fighters have intermarried with Syrians and established families, further entrenching their presence. Some have even openly voiced disillusionment with President Sharaa, whom they now denounce as a “traitor to jihad” for cooperating with the U.S. and Turkey and for abandoning their vision of an Islamic state.
Monitoring groups cited by the Post indicate that certain foreign fighters were behind deadly attacks on Syria’s coastal regions—violence that continues to cast a long shadow over the country’s fragile security landscape. Hardline elements within these groups now reportedly view Sharaa as “the enemy,” indistinguishable from the Assad regime they once fought.
Though Sharaa has ordered these groups to stay out of the public eye and banned them from speaking to the media, sources confirm that many remain quietly active, particularly in areas such as Idlib, and were previously stationed at checkpoints and key positions near Damascus before their gradual disappearance in recent weeks.
Quiet Appointments, Rising Concern
In a controversial move interpreted as a strategy of co-optation, the Sharaa administration has reportedly appointed six foreign fighters to senior roles within the Ministry of Defense, including positions in the Presidential Guard. Observers suggest this was meant to pre-empt any internal rebellion by integrating select figures into the new power structure.
However, the appointments have sparked backlash both domestically and internationally. According to Reuters, the government has now suspended further promotions for non-Syrians, a decision the U.S. Special Envoy to Syria cautiously welcomed as a “positive step.”
The Washington Post notes that some of these foreign fighters now wear military uniforms, while others remain in civilian clothing. Several agreed to speak with reporters under strict anonymity, citing direct orders forbidding media engagement.
A Condition for Reconstruction?
Importantly, the demand for the departure of all foreign fighters was one of five conditions reportedly outlined by President Donald Trump when he announced the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria. If left unresolved, this issue could become a major obstacle to economic recovery, as foreign investment and aid are likely to be contingent on Syria fulfilling its commitments.
With the country’s reconstruction hanging in the balance, the question remains: Can Syria move forward without first addressing the presence of foreign combatants on its soil? As international donors weigh their options and Washington sharpens its focus, the future of these fighters may well determine the pace—and credibility—of Syria’s post-war rebirth.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
