Thousands of transnational volunteers are being integrated into the new Syrian army under a plan approved by the US, marking a notable shift in policy toward Syria in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime.
US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack confirmed to Reuters that Washington supports the plan proposed by Syria’s transitional government to incorporate approximately 3,500 “foreign fighters” into the Syrian military. “I would say there is an understanding, with transparency,” Barrack said, emphasizing the importance of keeping these individuals “within the state project rather than excluding them.”
The decision follows a significant realignment of US policy. During his May tour of the Middle East, President Donald Trump lifted long-standing sanctions on Syria and met with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh. That meeting reportedly paved the way for deeper coordination between Washington and Damascus on matters of security and stabilization.
A Model of Integration?
Syrian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Col. Hassan Abdulghani described the foreign volunteers as a functioning part of the army. In comments to Al Arabiya, Abdulghani said, “These groups have advanced and sacrificed a lot for the sake of the Syrians…they are among the most involved and committed in the Ministry of Defense.” He added that these fighters are expected to follow the Syrian military doctrine and code of conduct.
Foreign volunteers— primarily Uighurs from China and Central Asia—previously fought under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), that led the final offensive against Assad. Their presence has long been a sticking point for the West. As recently as early May, US and European officials had demanded their removal from Syria’s military apparatus.
Reuters cited three unnamed Syrian defense officials confirming that the plan to incorporate the foreigners had been approved. The officials said the move was partly aimed at preventing them falling prey to extremist groups like ISIS or al-Qaeda if marginalized or left out of the state framework.
Dissolving the Past and Building the Future
One significant faction, the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), officially disbanded and is completely incorporated into the new Syrian state. “The group operates entirely under the authority of the Ministry of Defense,” TIP political official Osman Bughra stated in a message to Reuters, stressing that it holds no external affiliations.
According to Syrian Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra, soldiers being integrated will attend military college and undergo vetting before receiving formal ranks. Abu Qasra, himself a former HTS commander, said that military promotions will be granted based on service, training, and seniority.
As Syria’s transitional government pushes forward with military restructuring, it faces a delicate balancing act between cooperating with regional partners, securing internal stability, and managing the legacies of over a decade of war. The long-term implications of this integration remain uncertain. Neither the US State Department nor Syrian officials offered additional comments when contacted by Reuters.
