
Murhaf Abu Qasra, the Minister of Defense in the current Syrian regime, said in a January 21, 2025 show on Al-Araby TV (Qatar) that the foreign fighters in Syria are "fully committed" to the new regime's policy of building balanced relations with Arab and foreign countries, of creating stability, and of serving Syria's national interests. He said that foreign fighters have made sacrifices and fought alongside the rebel forces, earning their rights.
On the subject of Iran, he accused Iran of having invaded Syria and participated in a genocide against the Syrian people. With regard to Syria's Shiite population and the Shiite shrines in its territory, he said that "part of the mission" of the "new" Syria is that Shiites can exercise their rights within rules set by the state. He emphasized that the Syrian regime – and not Iran – is responsible for the management of Syria's Shiite population, and he said that Iran must not interfere in Syria's affairs and must instead pursue building proper diplomatic relations with the new Syrian administration.
On the subject of the regime's relations with Russia, Abu Qasra said that his ministry has not received any relevant instructions from the Presidential Office, which he said is handling negotiations alongside the regime's Foreign Ministry. He elaborated that in the past, Russian forces had been deployed throughout the country, but they are today concentrated only in the Khmeimim Airbase by Latakia and the Baniyas base in Tartus. He added that some of the Russian forces have also withdrawn from Syria.
Murhaf Abu Qasra: "There are foreigners in every country. Even the [Al-Assad] regime brought fighters from all the countries to Syria. The most important thing is to study the situation of the foreign fighters in Syria. They have rights, because they have made sacrifices and fought by our side. The most important thing for us is that they abide by the country's general policy. They are very aware and understand the nature of the current phase.
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"Thank God, they are fully committed to the general policy of the Syrian state. The policy of the Syrian state is to build balanced relations with both Arab and foreign countries, in order to create stability and serve Syria's interests."
Interviewer: "Can you tell us the approximate number of foreigners who were promoted in the army?"
Abu Qasra: "A small number. I do not remember the number by heart."
Interviewer: "Dozens or less?"
Abu Qasra: "Less. A small number.
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"We did not attack Iran. They attacked our country. They entered Syria a decade ago, and they participated in the genocide against the Syrian people. With regard to the Shiite sect and their shrines – they are part of the mission of the new Syria. The Shiites can exercise their rights within the rules set by the state. We – not Iran – are responsible for managing them, because ultimately they are Syrians on Syrian soil. Iran needs to stay away from interfering in the management of Syria. It must build proper diplomatic relations with the new Syrian administration. The Syrian administration will take care of and manage the Shiite sect.
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"We have not received any instructions from the President's Office on how to deal with Russia. There are negotiations, led by the President's Office and the Foreign Ministry. Ultimately, if they decide on a new approach, we will be informed about it, so that we, as the Ministry of Defense, can act in accordance with the law."
Interviewer: "The Russian presence has been reduced."
Abu Qasra: "Right."
Interviewer: "What is the extent of this Russian presence now?"
Abu Qasra: "In general, Russian forces were deployed in may parts of Syria. After the liberation, all the Russian forces were gathered in the Khmeimim Air Base, and in the Baniyas base in Tartus. Some of them were also transferred back to Russia. Currently, the Russian presence is in the Baniyas and Khmeimim bases."