U.S., French, and German diplomats have expressed concern over Syria’s recent appointments of foreign jihadists to senior military positions. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the Western powers have warned Syria’s new leaders about the potential security risks and negative implications these appointments may have on Syria’s international standing, particularly as it seeks to strengthen relations with foreign countries.

The warning came during a meeting between U.S. envoy Daniel Rubinstein and Syria’s de facto ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa, at the presidential palace in Damascus on Wednesday. A U.S. official emphasized the potential damage to Syria’s reputation in the West, stating, “These appointments will not help them with their reputation in the U.S.”

The issue of foreign jihadists in Syria’s military was also discussed in a meeting between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock with Sharaa on January 3. A diplomatic source confirmed that both officials raised concerns over the appointment of foreign fighters to the Syrian army during their talks.

The controversy centers on Syria’s new Islamist rulers, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which ousted former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Since then, HTS has sought to reconstitute Syria’s armed forces and reorganize the country’s military leadership.

In late December, it was reported that Syria’s new administration made nearly 50 appointments, including at least six foreign jihadists, some of whom hold the rank of brigadier-general or colonel. Among those appointed were militants from China, Central Asia, Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan. These individuals had fought in Syria’s civil war, many of them adhering to hardline interpretations of Islam.

Among those appointed to senior military posts are Jordanian Abdul Rahman Hussein al-Khatib, Chinese Uyghur Abdulaziz Dawood Khudaberdi (also known as Zahid), and Egyptian militant Alaa Mohamed Abdelbaqy. Zahid is known to lead the Turkistan Islamic Party’s forces in Syria, a group that seeks to establish an independent state in parts of China. Khudaberdi is a designated terrorist by Beijing. Abdelbaqy, who fled Egypt in 2013, was sentenced to life in prison in absentia on terrorism charges and had ties to the al-Qaeda-linked al Nusra Front.

Western governments view the presence of foreign fighters as a significant security concern. They fear that these fighters, many of whom gained combat experience in Syria, could return to their home countries and pose a threat. The diplomats’ concerns are compounded by the fact that many foreign fighters in Syria have previously been linked to groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Despite these concerns, officials from the new Syrian government have defended the appointments. Syrian authorities explained that foreign fighters played a key role in overthrowing Assad and that they have been in the country for over a decade, making them part of Syrian society. The U.S. official further noted that the Syrian government expressed reluctance to send these individuals back to their home countries, where they might face persecution.

The diplomatic community, including Arab states such as Egypt and Jordan, has expressed opposition to the appointments. There is a widespread concern that Syria’s decision to elevate foreign jihadists could send a dangerous message to transnational jihadist groups, potentially inspiring more foreign fighters to join the conflict in Syria.