Syria’s new rulers appoint foreign jihadists to senior posts in army — sources

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria’s new rulers have installed some foreign fighters including Uighurs, a Jordanian and a Turk in the country’s armed forces as Damascus tries to shape a patchwork of rebel groups into a professional military, two Syrian sources say.

The move to give official roles, including senior ones, to several jihadists may alarm some foreign governments and Syrian citizens fearful about the new administration’s intentions, despite its pledges not to export Islamic revolution and to rule with tolerance toward Syria’s large minority groups.

A Syrian government spokesperson doesn’t reply to a request for comment on the thinking behind the appointments.

The sources say that out of a total of almost 50 military roles announced by the defense ministry yesterday, at least six had gone to foreigners.

Reuters is not able to independently verify the nationalities of the individuals appointed.