In a move that has shocked many in the region, Syrian authorities have arrested two senior commanders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), signaling a sharp shift in policy as Damascus seeks to gain partial favor with the United States.
Khaled, PIJ’s chief of operations in Syria, and Abu Ali Yasser, the group’s executive commander in the country, were taken into custody without explanation, according to a statement from PIJ’s armed wing, Al-Quds Brigades. The group condemned the arrests, calling it a betrayal from what was once considered a brotherly government.
The detentions are seen as part of a broader campaign by Syria’s interim leadership to break away from previous militant associations and reestablish a new identity aligned with Western geopolitical expectations. With the Assad regime no longer in power, the new rulers are signaling their willingness to comply with Washington’s conditions for diplomatic and economic relief.
Reports suggest that one of the central figures benefitting from this shift is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Once a high-profile enemy of the West, Jolani has undergone a dramatic rebranding—shedding his militant image, appearing in Western media, and now acting as a de facto governor of Idlib under quiet Western approval.
Jolani’s forces have cracked down on rival factions, exerted control over the northwest, and even coordinated indirectly with foreign intelligence on security matters. His increasing alignment with U.S. interests has drawn criticism from opposition groups but has proven effective in maintaining control and influence in the region.
The arrests of PIJ leaders, combined with Jolani’s rise as a regional proxy power, indicate a fundamental shift in Syria’s alliances. No longer driven by old loyalties, the country appears to be reshaping its policies to serve new masters—ones who once labeled its strongest actors as terrorists.
As Syria attempts to reintegrate into the global order, the message is clear: loyalty to American interests can turn yesterday’s enemies into today’s assets.
