Syria’s new authorities have detained an Egyptian militant over threats he made on social media to the Cairo government, a Syrian interior ministry source and an Arab security source said on Wednesday.
The Egyptian militant had reportedly fought with Islamist forces against Syria’s ousted leader Bashar Al-Assad.
The move could help ease concern in Cairo over the rise to power of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels, who led the overthrow of Bashar Al-Assad last month, in light of the Egyptian government’s crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood at home.
Assad’s regime, marked by violence and repression, collapsed amid widespread protests and international pressure.
The power shift has triggered significant political and military changes in Syria, with various factions vying for control.
The militant, Ahmed al-Mansour, posted a video this week in which he said that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would meet the same fate as Assad.
He was arrested over that and other posts and is currently in a detention centre, the sources said.
Egypt ‘Concerned’ Over Syria’s Power Shift
While official Egyptian government statements have consistently expressed support for the Syrian people and their struggle, State-linked media has voiced concerns over the political developments in Syria.
There has been criticism of the change in power in Damascus, which is now under the influence of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Egyptian media has raised alarm over the potential resurgence of the Muslim Brotherhood, which they fear could be encouraged by Syria’s new rulers.
This concern stems from Egypt’s longstanding opposition to the Brotherhood and its ideological ties to Islamist groups in the region, influencing Cairo’s cautious stance on Syria’s evolving leadership.
“(Syrian authorities) are the ones who arrested him, but the Egyptian media campaign sent the message,” the Arab source said.
“This is a signal to Cairo, which sees this issue as extremely important.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
