The Syrian authorities begins procedures to strip 700,000 of foreginers who fought with Assad regime of Syrian citizenship
Sources close to the government said that Syrian authorities have begun procedures to revoke the citizenship of approximately 700,000 Iranian, Iraqi, and Lebanese citizens, in addition to thousands of fighters from Afghanistan and Pakistan, who obtained it during the rule of the Assad regime.
These individuals obtained citizenship through exceptional procedures in the period following the revolution against the Assad regime in 2011, stressing that this decision will become effective soon, as these citizenships will be deemed null and void.
The sources explained that a comprehensive review is currently underway to uncover the widespread naturalizations carried out by the former regime, noting that it has been revealed that tens of thousands of fighters from the Iranian-backed militias who fought alongside the regime, led by Iranians, have been naturalized.
The sources indicated that the Assad regime granted citizenship as part of policies aimed at changing the demographic composition of certain strategic areas, particularly those close to Damascus or along Iranian influence corridors in the Jazira region, as well as areas near Shiite shrines such as Sayyida Zeinab, and other areas considered important to Iranian plans, according to the sources.
According to sources, during the Assad era, the Iranians pursued a clear policy aimed at changing the structure of Syrian society, with the goal of political control and domination of Syria through sectarian channels.
Sources at the aforementioned news site confirmed that Iran has spent billions to implement its plan, and in recent years has exploited the poor economic situation to buy loyalty and spread Shiism in a systematic and calculated manner, building a sectarian identity in Syria that suits its interests.
The same sources said that Iranian propaganda specifically targeted the Sunni community in the Eastern Province, describing it as a numerically suitable and ideal environment, and more receptive to Iranian propaganda.
The Iranians convinced a number of tribes that their origins go back to the “Prophet’s family,” and for this purpose, they built cultural centers and spread Shiism.
They also began to attract many tribal leaders, tempting them with huge sums of money and floating them around their regions, in addition to providing annual trips to religious sites in Iran.
Following the fall of Assad regime and the arrival of Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS), led by Ahmed al Sharaa, to Damascus, relations between Tehran and Damascus were severed.
The Syrian transitional president is seeking to avoid any measures or initiatives toward Iran that would jeopardize his efforts to build trust and cooperation with Western powers.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have acknowledged the existence of indirect contacts with the relatively new Syrian government, with Türkiye and Qatar acting as intermediaries.
However, Tehran indicated that it’s in no hurry to restore full diplomatic relations, with Mohammad Shaibani, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s special envoy for Syrian affairs, explaining that the Islamic Republic is watching and waiting to see how the situation in Syria develops under the new authority.
According to press reports, Tehran is seeking ways to engage with the current Syrian government and revive previous Iranian investments in the Syrian economy.
However, Tehran repeatedly states that appropriate political and security conditions must be created before direct talks with the new government can take place.
