Damascus Appoints Former Pro-Turkish Commander as Deputy Defense Minister
By Kardo Roj
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syria’s Ministry of Defense on Saturday announced sweeping changes to its senior military leadership, including the appointment of Fahim Issa—a former commander of the Turkish-backed Sultan Murad Division—as Deputy Minister of Defense and head of military operations in the country’s north.
The move, confirmed by a government source speaking to North Press, signals a significant realignment within Syria’s military hierarchy at a time of shifting alliances and evolving security dynamics across the country.
Issa’s appointment is notable not only for his past affiliation with Turkey-backed armed groups operating under the banner of the Syrian National Army (SNA), but also for the potential implications it may have on the already fragile balance of power in northern Syria, where Turkish influence and proxy presence remain high.
Restructuring of Key Military Units
In addition to Issa, the Defense Ministry also announced a series of other appointments within various brigades and special units. Among them:
Abu Khaled al-Arabi was named General Commander of the Zubayr ibn al-Awwam Brigade.
Suleiman al-Iss took command of the Special Forces Brigade within the 52nd Division.
Abu Adnan 500 was assigned to lead the General Staff of the Ali ibn Abi Talib Brigade.
Abu Jassem Huweir was appointed General Commander of the Badiya Battalions under the Zubayr Brigade.
Abu Basir Makhalleh was designated as a battalion commander in the Damascus Division.
These appointments come amid reported efforts by the central government to consolidate military authority and integrate a diverse array of factions into the formal structures of the Ministry of Defense.
Background: From Opposition to Integration
The incorporation of figures like Fahim Issa, who formerly led the Sultan Murad Division—a faction closely aligned with Ankara and active in Turkish-held zones in northern Syria—reflects a broader trend of state-led absorption of once-rival factions into the official military framework.
While the Ministry has not publicly commented on the rationale behind the appointments, analysts note that this restructuring may be aimed at neutralizing opposition-aligned commanders by offering them formal roles within state institutions, thereby weakening Turkish leverage and attempting to reassert sovereign control over contested areas.
However, such moves also risk introducing factional loyalties and divergent agendas into the regular army, potentially complicating the chain of command and affecting operational coherence.
The elevation of individuals with past affiliations to Turkish-backed groups may raise concerns in northeast Syria, where the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to confront security threats emanating from both Turkish incursions and armed factions operating under the SNA umbrella.
While the SDF has not issued an official statement regarding the appointments, observers in the region remain cautious, interpreting the integration of pro-Ankara commanders into Damascus’s defense structure as a possible prelude to political maneuvering over northern Syria.
At the same time, the appointments underscore the evolving political calculations in Damascus, which appears increasingly open to pragmatic arrangements in order to shore up its military and administrative reach amid ongoing regional fragmentation.
As Syria’s conflict enters its 14th year, internal military shifts such as these highlight the complexities of rebuilding a unified national defense structure. Whether these appointments serve to stabilize or further entrench divisions remains to be seen.
In the short term, observers will be watching closely for any changes in military deployments or strategy in northern Syria, particularly in areas adjacent to the SDF-controlled regions where the risk of escalation remains high.