Analyses

STRATEGIECS Team

May 29, 2025

This paper addresses the complex situation of the foreign fighter file in Syria following the change of the former regime. It details their composition, explores the long-term challenges and risks arising from their integration into the new Syrian army, their leadership roles, and the implications of this both locally and internationally. It also touches on the issue of thousands of foreign fighters from ISIS who are currently detained. Lastly, the paper reviews future scenarios for these fighters, whether those integrated into the new state structures or the ISIS detainees held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).