Media: Palestinian militant leaders flee Damascus amid crackdown in Syria

A sweeping crackdown by Syria’s new leadership has prompted the exodus of several Palestinian faction leaders formerly aligned with the Assad regime and supported by Iran.

Sources indicate that these leaders fled the Syrian capital after facing increasing persecution and the confiscation of their properties, Caliber.Az reports per Al Arabiya.

One senior figure, speaking anonymously, said that most leaders of Palestinian factions backed by Tehran have left Damascus and moved to various countries, including Lebanon. He added that the groups had fully surrendered their weapons to Syrian authorities in the aftermath of President Bashar al-Assad’s fall. A second Palestinian source from a smaller faction still operating in Damascus confirmed the account, underscoring what appears to be a significant shift in the Syrian government’s stance toward formerly allied militant groups.

In a further sign of shifting regional dynamics, an Israeli official said that Syria’s new administration has made “gestures of goodwill” toward Israel. These gestures, the official said, will be “met with reciprocal steps.” The official also described recent meetings with Syrian representatives, reportedly facilitated by Türkiye, as “positive.” 

The developments come on the heels of a major political shake-up in Damascus. In April of last year, Syrian security forces arrested Khaled Khaled, a senior leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, and Abu Ali Yasser, head of the movement’s Syrian operations. Notably, Khaled was detained less than 48 hours after a state visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who held talks with Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

By Naila Huseynova