Shiite MP Files Legal Complaint Against Syrian President Over Alleged Militancy Ties
“How can a man who once led a terrorist group be permitted to enter our country?” said Alaa Haidari.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi Shiite parliamentarian Alaa Haidari has submitted an official legal complaint against Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, citing past affiliations with extremist groups and accusing him of involvement in crimes committed against Iraqi citizens, including the death of his own brother.
In a video statement released on Tuesday, MP Haidari confirmed that he had formally lodged a petition with Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, asserting that Al-Sharaa, once known by the alias "Abu Muhammad al-Jolani," should face legal scrutiny for his alleged role in fostering regional militancy. “We are victims of his past actions,” Haidari declared. “My own brother, Nu'man Haidari, and others like him were murdered by this man’s organization.”
“How Can the Former Head of a Terror Group Enter Iraq?”
The parliamentarian questioned the legality of allowing al-Sharaa into Iraq, stating, “How can a man who once led a terrorist group be permitted to enter our country?” He thanked the public prosecution office for supporting the legal filing, underscoring what he called a “moral and national duty” to pursue justice for Iraqis affected by past insurgent activities.
The complaint comes amid rising controversy in Iraq after the Iraqi Ministry of Culture and Tourism extended a formal invitation to Al-Sharaa to attend the upcoming Arab Cultural Forum scheduled for May 17 in Baghdad. Iraqi Culture Minister Ahmad Fakak al-Badrani confirmed that the invitation was issued at the behest of President Abdul Latif Rashid to encourage regional dialogue following the fall of Syria’s previous regime.
Al-Sharaa’s Controversial Image and the Return of Syrian Refugees
The legal challenge against Al-Sharaa arrives at a sensitive moment, as the region witnesses a gradual shift in Syria’s political landscape and efforts to normalize ties. It also comes as thousands of Syrian refugees return home from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. According to the UNHCR, over 12,000 Syrian refugees have voluntarily returned to Syria via the Fishkhabour and Al-Qa’im crossings in the first quarter of 2025.
The UN further estimates that out of the 3.7 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, over 175,000 have returned this year. Another 1.4 million internally displaced Syrians have gone back to their original communities. However, funding for repatriation remains a critical issue, with only $71 million gathered from a pledged $575 million humanitarian budget. The UN warns that without urgent financial support, the planned return of 1.5 million Syrians could falter.
As humanitarian agencies brace for further returns, the controversy over al-Sharaa’s invitation reflects the ongoing tension between regional reconciliation efforts and lingering wounds from Syria’s prolonged conflict.
