(Former) Members of anti-Assad armed groups

COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: June 2025

Members of anti-Assad armed groups had been subjected to persecution by the Assad regime (e.g. assassination, torture, arbitrary arrest). As mentioned above, the risk related to the Assad regime has vanished.

At the time of writing, there is no specific information as to their treatment by actors currently present and operating in Syria. However, this should not be interpreted as an indication that there might not be further international protection needs.

Therefore, it can be concluded that:

(Former) members of anti-Assad armed groups, now integrated in the new Syrian military, would in general not have a well-founded fear of persecution from the Transitional Administration.

As per the potential targeting by the Transitional Administration of the (former) members of anti-Assad armed groups, not integrated in the new Syrian military, the individual assessment of whether there is a reasonable degree of likelihood for the applicant to face persecution should be made on a case-by-case basis and should take into consideration the most recent COI.

Where well-founded fear of persecution is substantiated for an applicant under this profile, this is highly likely to be for reasons of (imputed) political opinion.

With reference to the potential targeting by other actors such as the Syrian National Army (SNA), the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), see Members of and persons perceived to be collaborating with the SDF/YPG and Persons perceived to be opposing the SDF/YPG.

Exclusion considerations could be relevant to this sub-profile, as (former) members of anti-Assad armed groups may have been involved in excludable acts.