Ahmed al-Mansour, an Egyptian fighter, has been detained by Syrian authorities after he initiated a campaign to oust Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. His videos on social media called for unity among Egyptians against Sisi’s regime, drawing ire from Egyptian media. This incident raises concerns about the treatment of dissidents in both countries, alongside increased security measures against the Syrian population in Egypt.
Syrian authorities detained Egyptian fighter Ahmed al-Mansour on Tuesday, shortly after he announced a movement to overthrow Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Previously, Mansour fought alongside Syrian rebels against President Bashar al-Assad until the latter’s recent ousting. Following this victory, Mansour began creating social media videos urging Egyptians to unite against Sisi’s reign, which has lasted over twelve years, using the hashtag “It’s your turn, Dictator.” Egyptian media have branded him as a “terrorist,” pressuring Syrian officials to silence him and facilitate his extradition.
On Tuesday, a social media account affiliated with Mansour’s movement reported his detention by the new Syrian defense minister, a former commander of Mansour during Syria’s liberation operations. Reuters confirmed the detention through a source in Syria’s interior ministry. Meanwhile, the fate of Mansour remains uncertain. This comes after the detention of Egyptian poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi in Lebanon, who criticized both Sisi and UAE rulers in videos suggesting that Sisi might share a similar fate as Assad.
President Sisi, an ex-army chief who came to power in a 2013 coup, has been criticized for his authoritarian governance and handling of a growing economic crisis, which includes excessive spending on inefficient megaprojects and reliance on foreign aid. Reports indicate that following Assad’s removal, the Egyptian government began tracking Egyptian fighters in Syria. Some of these individuals have alleged terrorist activities linked to Egypt before their departure.
Mansour, who has distanced himself from HTS, mockingly confronted Sisi in a recent video. He alleged that Sisi was fearful and overly cautious, stating, “Sisi has been compiling a list of Egyptians fighting in Syria. I have something to say to him: You’re stupid. You’re afraid.” This video led to the arrest of several of Mansour’s relatives, though his father later appeared in state media, disavowing his son’s actions.
On social media, Mansour has outlined a platform with four main demands: Sisi’s resignation, withdrawal of the military from politics, release of political prisoners, and adherence to the values of the January 2011 revolution. A source close to Mansour elaborated on his background, indicating that his radicalization began following police brutality incidents, including the killing of Khaled Said. After witnessing state oppression, he left Egypt to engage in the Syrian conflict against Assad.
The evolving situation in Syria has prompted heightened security measures against Syrians in Egypt, where celebrations of Assad’s fall by the Syrian community have been met with detainment under pretexts of illegal protests. Moreover, officials have reportedly instructed airlines to deny entry to Syrian nationals, unless they possess temporary residency permits in Egypt.
The detention of Ahmed al-Mansour in Syria illuminates the intertwining political tensions between Egypt and the ongoing conflict in Syria. After a significant military victory in Syria, Mansour publicly encouraged Egyptians to rise against President Sisi, calling attention to his autocratic rule and the need for political change. The surveillance of Egyptians fighting abroad by Sisi’s government also reflects ongoing concerns about potential insurgencies and unrest domestically. Amidst critical accusations of human rights violations against Sisi’s administration, developments surrounding Mansour highlight the risks faced by dissidents and those calling for reform in the region.
The arrest of Ahmed al-Mansour by Syrian authorities raises critical concerns about the fate of dissidents seeking to challenge authoritarian regimes in the region. His call to action against President Sisi resonates with a broader sentiment of discontent among Egyptians, but his detention signifies the potential dangers faced by such figures amid increasing government suppression. The heightened measures against Syrian refugees in Egypt further underscore the precarious situation for those perceived as threats to the state.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
