Syriac Union Party Co-Chair Sanharib Barsom criticizes US support for integration of foreign fighters into Syrian Army

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — Sanharib Barsom, Co-Chair of the Syriac Union Party (SUP) and a member of the delegation representing the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region in North and East Syria (DAARNES) in negotiations with the Syrian government, has criticized the US decision to approve the integration of thousands of foreign fighters into the newly formed Syrian Army. 

Barsom expressed surprise and concern over the decision, which includes the incorporation of foreign and Uyghur fighters into a military force intended to be built on professional and ethical principles, free from ideological biases. 

In comments to Rudaw, Barsom argued that there are alternative methods to address the issue of foreign fighters in Syria without integrating them into the armed forces. He warned that the known extremist ideologies of these groups make the decision both undesirable and difficult to justify. 

US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrak previously told Reuters that an agreement had been reached in Daramsuq (Damascus) to integrate pro-government foreign fighters. According to three Syrian military officials cited by the agency, the plan involves incorporating approximately 3,500 foreign fighters — mostly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries — into a new military unit alongside Syrian nationals. 

Barsom emphasized that this decision could have significant consequences for the cohesion and professionalism of the Syrian Army and urged reconsideration of the policy to ensure a more stable and inclusive path forward.