US backs Syria plan to integrate thousands of former opposition foreign fighters into new army: Reuters - Region
According to Reuters, Thomas Barrack, the US special envoy to Syria appointed by President Donald Trump last month, confirmed in Damascus that Washington supports Syria's fighter integration plan 'with transparency,' emphasizing the need for an open and inclusive process.
'It's better to keep the fighters—many of whom are very loyal to the new administration—within a state project than to exclude them,' Barrack said.
According to three Syrian defense officials, the plan would integrate about 3,500 foreign fighters—mostly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries—into a newly formed 84th division of the Syrian Army alongside regular troops.
The move aims to bring fragmented armed groups under government control, a key challenge for interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
The inclusion of foreign fighters, many formerly affiliated with Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), had long been a sticking point between Syria and the West.
Washington's stance shifted after Trump's recent Middle East tour, during which he met with Al-Sharaa in Riyadh and agreed to lift Assad-era sanctions.
In return, Syria's transitional leadership is considering normalizing ties with Israel.
The integration plan is part of a broader restructuring campaign. In December 2024, the government appointed dozens of former fighters—including foreign nationals—to senior military roles to unify and modernize Syria's fractured army.
During a previous conversation with Ahram Online, United Nations Special Envoy Geir Pedersen underscored the difficulty of rebuilding a cohesive force. He stressed incorporating former conscripts, defected officers, and select faction leaders to avoid further fragmentation.
'The effort to form a new, unified Syrian national army is crucial for the country's future stability,' Pedersen said.
He added that reforming the army's internal culture—toward professionalism, civilian oversight, and respect for human rights—is just as critical.
'Without a cohesive command and a shift in military culture, Syria risks developing competing armies, undermining national unity and defense capacity.'
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