Syria Detains Egyptian Fighter Ahmed al-Mansour After Uprising Call Against Sisi

Syrian authorities detained Egyptian fighter Ahmed al-Mansour after he called for an uprising against President Sisi. Mansour had joined Syrian rebels and urged Egyptians to unite against the Sisi regime following its crackdown on dissent. His arrest is part of a larger response to perceived threats to the Egyptian government, highlighting the tense political climate in the region and escalating concerns over state repression of dissenters.

On Tuesday, Syrian authorities apprehended Egyptian fighter Ahmed al-Mansour, who had recently announced a movement aimed at overthrowing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Previously, Mansour had affiliated with Syrian rebels opposing Bashar al-Assad until their successful takeover of Damascus on December 8. Following this event, he shared numerous videos on social media urging Egyptians to unite against Sisi’s regime, which has been marked by authoritarianism for twelve years.

Mansour’s calls for rebellion gained attention in Egyptian media, which labeled him a “terrorist” and urged Syrian officials to apprehend and extradite him. Reports from a social media account representing his movement confirmed his detention by the new Syrian minister of defense, a former commander in Mansour’s forces. Meanwhile, a Syrian interior ministry source corroborated this information to Reuters, although the circumstances surrounding his detention remain unclear.

The situation escalated concurrently with the arrest of Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi in Lebanon, who had criticized Sisi and linked him to Assad’s fate. Sisi, who rose to power following a coup in 2013, faces severe criticism for his government’s oppressive human rights record and for failing to remedy Egypt’s ongoing economic crisis, characterized by excessive spending on largely ineffective megaprojects and heavy dependence on foreign aid.

Following the ousting of Assad, Egypt reportedly began monitoring its citizens who participated in the conflict in Syria, with indications that some individuals had previously engaged in terrorism in Egypt. Mansour, having distanced himself from HTS, declared that Sisi’s fears were unfounded, remarking, “You’re stupid. You’re afraid,” in a recent video addressing the Egyptian president.

In a show of governmental pressure, multiple family members of Mansour have been detained. Furthermore, the state-aligned media recently aired his father condemning Mansour’s actions, accusing him of dishonesty. Ahmed al-Mansour has rallied the Egyptian opposition around four significant demands: Sisi’s resignation, removal of the military from politics, release of political prisoners, and a return to the principles of the 2011 revolution.

Mansour’s journey began in Alexandria and included an academic background in logistics from Al-Azhar and the Naval Academy. His transformation as a political dissident intensified following Khaled Said’s torture and assassination in 2010 and witnessing military violence at the Rabaa al-Adawiya sit-in. Within two months of witnessing tragedy, he left Egypt to join the fight against Assad’s regime, paralleling evolving tensions within Syria that have prompted stricter security protocols toward Syrian nationals in Egypt.

In response to the Syrian community’s celebrations regarding Assad’s fall, Egyptian authorities have imposed detentions under allegations of unauthorized protests. Furthermore, Egyptian officials have mandated restrictions on Syrian nationals entering the country, permitting only those with residency permits to gain entry.

The situation in Syria has significant implications for Egyptian politics, particularly regarding the ongoing authoritarian government of President Sisi, who has faced dissent following his coup against Mohamed Morsi in 2013. The detention of Ahmed al-Mansour is part of a larger narrative about exiled fighters returning to their home country to foment rebellion against oppressive regimes. The geopolitical dynamics in the region, alongside national security concerns, have influenced Egypt’s strategies against perceived dissidents and have intensified repression against activists, both at home and abroad. The ongoing humanitarian crisis and the political landscape in Egypt exacerbate these tensions, making this a crucial moment for observers of Middle Eastern politics.

The detention of Ahmed al-Mansour highlights the precarious balance between dissent and state repression in Egypt, particularly in light of ongoing crises. This incident underscores the risks faced by those advocating for political change against entrenched authoritarianism and reflects the broader ramifications of Syria’s civil conflict on regional stability. As tensions escalate and calls for unity against oppressive governance persist, the fate of such activists remains uncertain, indicating the lengths to which regimes will go to maintain control and silence opposition voices.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net

Niara Abdi

Niara Abdi is a gifted journalist specializing in health and wellness reporting with over 13 years of experience. Graduating from the University of Nairobi, Niara has a deep commitment to informing the public about global health issues and personal wellbeing. Her relatable writing and thorough research have garnered her a wide readership and respect within the health journalism community, where she advocates for informed decision-making.

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