Syria Detains Palestinian Faction Leader in Damascus Amid Shifting Security Landscape
By Kardo Roj
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) –
Syrian authorities arrested Talal Naji, Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC), in Damascus on Saturday, according to an AFP report. The arrest marks a rare move by Damascus against a faction long regarded as a loyal ally of the Syrian government.
The PFLP-GC, known for its close ties to successive Syrian regimes, particularly under President Bashar al-Assad, played a controversial role in the Syrian conflict, especially during the siege of Palestinian refugee camps such as Yarmouk in southern Damascus. The arrest of Naji has raised questions over the evolving political and security calculations in the Syrian capital, particularly in light of recent regional shifts.
Talal Naji, who succeeded the late Ahmed Jibril as head of the PFLP-GC in 2021, was reportedly taken into custody without an official explanation. The arrest comes less than three weeks after two senior figures from the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), known as Saraya al-Quds, were also detained in Damascus. In both cases, Syrian authorities have not issued formal charges or public statements.
The detentions suggest a recalibration of Damascus’ traditional alliances with Palestinian factions, some of which have long operated with relative freedom in government-controlled areas. Analysts note that these developments may reflect internal regime dynamics, efforts to consolidate power, or attempts to realign Syria’s posture amid changing regional and international pressures.
The PFLP-GC has historically been a staunch supporter of the Syrian government, backing its military campaigns during the early years of the Syrian war. The group was particularly active in Yarmouk Camp, where it sided with Syrian government forces during the siege that left thousands of Palestinian refugees displaced or dead.
The detention of Talal Naji and other Palestinian faction leaders highlights the sensitive interplay between internal security policies and external diplomatic strategies. As Syria cautiously reopens dialogue with regional powers and negotiates with international stakeholders over sanctions and reconstruction, its treatment of traditional allies may reflect a more pragmatic, security-driven approach.
In contrast, in northeast Syria, the AANES and SDF continue to prioritize stability and the containment of extremist threats, distinguishing their governance from the more opaque and politically charged environment in Damascus.
The coming weeks may reveal whether Naji’s arrest is an isolated incident or part of a broader campaign to reshape the presence and role of Palestinian factions in government-held territories. For now, the move underscores the shifting dynamics within Syria’s fragmented political and security landscape.