Syrian authorities have detained two senior leaders of Islamic Jihad, an Iran-backed Palestinian group aligned with Hamas, in what observers see as a sign of shifting political calculations in post-Assad Syria. The group reported Tuesday that its Syria-based leader, Khaled Khaled, and senior figure Yasser al-Zafari, were taken into custody five days ago. Syria’s interior ministry confirmed the arrests but did not give a reason.
Islamic Jihad, which participated in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel alongside Hamas, denounced the detentions. “Without any explanation,” the group said, the men were detained “in a manner we would not have hoped to see from brothers.”
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The arrests mark a notable departure from longstanding Syrian policy. Under former President Bashar Assad, Syria served as a logistical and political hub for several Palestinian armed groups supported by Iran. But after Assad was deposed by rebel forces in December, the country’s new leadership—headed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa—has signaled a pivot away from Tehran’s sphere of influence.
Since taking office, al-Sharaa has made overtures to the US in hopes of securing sanctions relief. The Trump administration has reportedly conditioned any easing of sanctions on action against extremist organizations operating within Syria. The timing of the arrests, which coincided with a visit to Damascus by Republican members of Congress, appears to reflect that pressure.
Most US restrictions remain in place, though limited exemptions for humanitarian aid have been granted.