Palestinian Islamic Jihad co-founder threatened with 'unlawful' deportation from Syria

What Happened

Adel al-Natour, a 71-year-old co-founder of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), faces imminent deportation from Syria after being held in detention without trial or legal counsel for over 11 months. Syrian security forces, who arrested al-Natour at his home near Damascus on 18 September, informed his family on Saturday that he would be deported in 10 days. Al-Natour’s family reports he has been denied access to legal representation and that courts have refused to hear appeals because no formal charges have been filed against him. Human rights groups, including Syrians for Truth and Justice, describe the detention as an arbitrary and unlawful enforced disappearance.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The case highlights the precarious status of Palestinian residents in Syria under the current interim authorities led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. It also occurs against a backdrop of shifting regional security dynamics, including ongoing negotiations between Damascus and Israel and international pressure on Syria to restrict the presence of Palestinian armed factions.

Watch For

Monitor the status of the deportation order scheduled for execution approximately 10 days after the notification on Saturday. Additionally, observe whether the family succeeds in securing legal intervention or international asylum, and whether this case signals a broader policy shift regarding the treatment of long-term Palestinian residents by Syrian security forces.