New Syrian Authorities Detain Two Palestinian Terrorist Leaders

• 22.04.2025, 14:47

‘Islamic Jihad’ took part in attacks against Israel.

Syrian authorities have detained two high-ranking members of the Palestinian radical group Islamic Jihad, which took part in attacks against Israel in October 2023. Islamic Jihad is recognised as a terrorist organisation in the US and EU.

According to Reuters, the statement of Islamic Jihad's armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, said that Khaled Khaled, commander of the group's formations in Syria, and Yasser al-Zafari, who heads its organising committee, had been taken into custody. Both have been in detention for five days, and no official reason for their arrest has been given.

‘They are being held without explanation and in a manner we would not expect to see from the brothers,’ the statement said. ‘Islamic Jihad demanded the immediate release of Khaled and al-Zafari.

A Syrian interior ministry official has confirmed the detentions but declined to comment. A source in the Palestinian diaspora in Damascus has also confirmed the arrests.

‘Islamic Jihad, which receives funding and military support from Iran, has long operated using bases in Syria and Lebanon. However, the regional balance of power has changed: in 2024, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in an offensive by opposition forces and a new Islamist government took power in Damascus.