Syria's Former Regime Sent Military Officers on Diplomatic Missions, Leaked Document Reveals

The website "Zaman Al-Wasl" has published an official document from the Syrian Foreign Ministry dated April 4, 2022, which outlines a deliberate policy by the former regime to assign military officers to diplomatic missions. This raises significant questions regarding the credibility of Syria's diplomatic representation and the qualifications of its diplomats during that period.

The document, signed by former ambassador Imad Mustafa, who served as the Director of the Diplomatic Institute, was directed to the Ministry of Defense. It requested approval for four officers from military units involved in the Syrian conflict to participate in a "Diplomatic Qualification Course" to prepare them for diplomatic service.

According to the document, the four officers belong to military units that have been engaged in suppressing the popular uprising since 2011, including the "Special Mission Unit 25" and the "8th Armored Division." This raises concerns about the use of diplomacy as a cover for the international deployment of controversial security personnel.

One notable name mentioned is Mohammed Firas Nuyalati, who is currently serving at the Syrian mission to the United Nations in New York. He was previously a member of the "Special Mission Unit 25," which has been accused of serious violations in Idlib and Aleppo.

The list also includes Osama Mohammed Mansour from the 8th Armored Division, who participated in military operations in Damascus and Daraa.

Fayez Shaban Shahin, associated with the Ministry of Defense and linked to security agencies involved in violations, raises further questions about the selection criteria for diplomats under the former regime.

The fourth individual listed is Iyad Mukhlis Abu Hamoud, also from the 8th Armored Division, who was involved in military operations in the suburbs of Daraa and Homs.

In light of these revelations, the report from "Zaman Al-Wasl" calls for an urgent international review of the backgrounds of personnel in the Syrian diplomatic service, particularly those appointed since the onset of the revolution, to assess their potential involvement in human rights abuses or war crimes, which may necessitate legal action under international law.