Syrian Embassy Shutdown Follows Arrests of Assad’s Relatives

Syrian Embassy Shutdown Follows Arrests of Assad’s Relatives \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Syrian embassy in Lebanon suspended consular services following allegations of passport forgery involving relatives of deposed President Bashar Assad. Meanwhile, Lebanon deported dozens of Syrians, including former Assad army officers, to the new Syrian government. Regional and internal tensions continue as Syria’s new leadership navigates challenges, including clashes with pro-Assad groups and Kurdish-led forces.

Syria’s Embassy Shutdown and Regional Dynamics: Quick Looks

• Embassy Closure: Syria’s Lebanon embassy halts consular work after allegations of forged passports linked to Assad’s relatives.
• Lebanese Deportations: Lebanon handed over 70 Syrians, including ex-Assad army officers, to new Syrian authorities.
• New Government Challenges: HTS-led leadership faces sporadic clashes with pro-Assad groups and anxiety from Kurdish communities.
• Regional Engagement: Libyan and Bahraini delegations visit Damascus as countries seek ties with Syria’s new rulers.
• Kurdish Protest: Demonstrators demand women’s rights in the evolving political landscape.

Deep Look

Syrian Embassy in Lebanon Suspends Services Amid Scandal

The Syrian embassy in Lebanon has temporarily suspended consular services following allegations that forged passports were issued to relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad. The suspension, announced on the embassy’s Facebook page, comes on the heels of the arrest of two relatives—identified as the wife and daughter of one of Assad’s cousins—at Beirut airport. Lebanese security officials believe the passports were forged at the embassy itself, prompting the Syrian foreign ministry to order the shutdown.

Adding intrigue to the case, Rifaat Assad, Bashar Assad’s uncle, was able to leave Lebanon just a day earlier using a legitimate passport. Rifaat Assad, who has faced war crimes charges in Switzerland, was not detained. The arrests and subsequent suspension reflect the ongoing political fallout and instability surrounding Syria’s transition to new leadership.

Mass Deportations to Syria’s New Authorities

Coinciding with the embassy scandal, Lebanese authorities deported 70 Syrians, including former officers of Bashar Assad’s army, to Syria. The deportees were caught illegally entering Lebanon and handed over to security forces loyal to Syria’s new government, which is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former insurgent group.

The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the handover, which included members of the Alawite religious minority—a group closely tied to the former Assad regime. This move highlights the shifting political dynamics in Syria, where HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani) has been working to stabilize control and rebrand his leadership on the international stage.

HTS has so far avoided widespread retribution against communities that supported Assad, and it has not imposed strict Islamic law on religious minorities. However, recent raids targeting Assad-affiliated officials and the establishment of checkpoints in Alawite-populated areas suggest that tensions remain high. These actions, combined with sporadic clashes between HTS-led forces and pro-Assad groups, indicate that stability in Syria remains tenuous.

Regional Engagement with Syria’s New Leaders

Despite these internal challenges, Syria’s new government is gaining legitimacy among regional powers. On Saturday, official delegations from Libya and Bahrain arrived in Damascus, signaling growing recognition of HTS-led authorities. This diplomatic engagement reflects a broader trend among regional governments to establish ties with Syria’s evolving leadership, even as skepticism persists over the group’s long-term intentions.

The new government’s balancing act—presenting itself as moderate while consolidating power—will be key to its international acceptance. HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa has attempted to allay fears of Islamist extremism by promising to govern inclusively and avoid punitive actions against Assad supporters. However, concerns about the group’s Islamist roots and potential for authoritarianism continue to loom large.

Kurdish Tensions and Turkey’s Role

While HTS strengthens its hold in Damascus, tensions persist in northeastern Syria, where Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) face increasing pressure from Turkish-backed armed groups. Turkey views the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a militant group classified as a terrorist organization by Ankara.

For years, the SDF has been a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS, but its relationship with Turkey has been fraught with conflict. Many Kurds view the new Syrian leadership, which appears to favor Turkish interests, with deep suspicion. They fear that HTS’s rise could further weaken Kurdish autonomy and strengthen Turkey’s influence in the region.

These dynamics were the focus of a Saturday conversation between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. According to a State Department statement, Blinken emphasized the importance of supporting a “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process” that protects human rights and ensures inclusive governance. Both leaders also discussed their shared interest in preventing terrorism and maintaining regional stability.

Kurdish-Led Protests for Women’s Rights

In northeastern Syria, Kurdish women have taken to the streets to demand inclusion and equality in the new political order. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters organized by Kurdish women’s groups demonstrated in the city of Hasaka. Chanting slogans and holding signs, they demanded assurances that women’s rights would be enshrined in Syria’s new constitution.

Perishan Ramadan, one of the protesters, accused the new government of being “worse than Bashar” and expressed fears that its leaders harbor Islamist extremist views that could curtail women’s freedoms. While HTS has refrained from enforcing Islamic dress codes or other religious conventions, activists worry that this restraint may be temporary.

Rihan Loqo, spokeswoman for the Kongra Star women’s organization, called for guarantees of women’s representation in Syria’s evolving governance structure. “Women must be present in the new constitution for Syria,” Loqo said. “Women’s rights should not be ignored.”

The protests highlight broader concerns about inclusivity and governance in Syria’s new political landscape. Activists fear that the absence of clear guarantees could pave the way for regression on issues such as gender equality and minority rights.

Looking Ahead: Challenges for Syria’s New Order

Syria’s new government, led by HTS, faces a precarious balancing act as it consolidates power and seeks international legitimacy. While it has made overtures to avoid appearing overtly Islamist or authoritarian, sporadic clashes with pro-Assad groups, raids against former officials, and rising Kurdish tensions suggest that the road to stability will be rocky.

The growing recognition from regional powers like Libya and Bahrain may boost HTS’s international standing, but questions remain about its long-term vision and governance. Meanwhile, Kurdish activists and women’s rights groups are pushing for explicit protections in the new political framework, underscoring the need for inclusivity and transparency.With regional powers, domestic activists, and international actors closely watching Syria’s transition, the next steps taken by its new leaders will determine whether the country moves toward a more stable and inclusive future or descends into further turmoil.

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