Reports from the UNHCR or official government statistics

Turkish Citizen Ömer Muhammed Çiftçi Among 49 Rebels Promoted to Officers in New Syrian Army, Including Foreign Jihadists

Dec 30, 2024, 02:00 PM

Ömer Muhammed Çiftçi, a Turkish citizen known by the nom de guerre 'Muhtar Turki,' has been appointed as a Brigadier General in the new Syrian Army. Çiftçi, who has been fighting against the Assad regime since the onset of the war, is among the 49 former rebels promoted to officer ranks in the future Syrian military, as per a decree from the new Syrian leader, Ahmed Al-Charaa. The promotions, which include both Syrian rebels and defected former army officers, are part of efforts to develop and modernize the military to ensure security and stability. The decree also lists foreign jihadists among the promoted, including individuals from Albania, Jordan, Tajikistan, and China's Uyghur minority, as well as a Turk from Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS).