Foreign ISIS fighters 'being given Syrian passports' to reach the UK

Foreign ISIS terrorists are being handed passports in Syria they could use to bring hate-filled destruction to Britain.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel said reports the new Syrian regime was granting citizenships to foreign Islamic extremists were "extremely alarming". President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda jihadist, seized power in the Middle East country in December after deposing the former leader Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Moscow.

Since President al-Sharaa, and his party Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), took control in the capital Damascus, the country has seen brutal ethnic and religious violence, including an ISIS attack on a Christian church which killed 22 people in June.

In Britain an ISIS-aligned terrorist struck at a synagogue in Manchester this month in a horrific antisemitic attack which left two people dead.

The UK is already on a substantial terror threat level, meaning an attack is likely, and now it's emerged jihadists could be travelling to Syria to gain citizenship and a passport so they could head here. Current guidelines state Syrian nationals can apply for a Standard Visitor visa costing just £127 for up to a six-month stay.

Speaking about the potential of foreign jihadists getting a passport once they arrive in Syria, Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel told the Daily Express: "It is extremely alarming to hear that the Syrian government is apparently handing out passports and citizenship to Islamist militants.

"Our first concern should be making sure no such people are able to use this newfound status as a way to get into the UK and commit acts of violence.

"Just this month we experienced an abhorrent attack on a synagogue by an ISIS-aligned terrorist. The threat is incredibly serious.

"The Foreign Secretary must immediately confirm what safeguards are being put in place to protect the British public, and how it will engage with the Syrian government to resolve this issue."

Badran Chia Kurd, deputy co-chair of political affairs for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), told the Daily Express: "HTS includes extremist foreign jihadist groups-some of which were part of ISIS, while others are affiliated with al-Qaeda, Hurras al-Din, the Turkistan Islamic Party, and others.

"What is particularly dangerous is that the HTS led government in Damascus is granting these foreign fighters Syrian citizenship. Once they obtain Syrian passports, they will be able to travel to other countries, potentially posing a threat to the countries they go to."

As reported by this paper earlier this year, armed groups of gun-toting fighters wearing symbols used by ISIS have been seen on the streets of Syria since HTS came to power. Syria's President al-Sharaa has tried to distance himself from his own jihadi past, ditching his previous nom de guerre of Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. However, despite the pledge Syria will be a home for all, the country has been wracked by violence between different ethnic and religious groups. There have also been reports of Islamic extremists and ISIS sympathisers flocking to Syria from other countries.

Mr Chia Kurd, who represents the Kurdish-led region of north east Syria which is hoping to negotiate regional powers with HTS, added: "The interim authorities in Damascus have no clear decision to act against ISIS, despite the pressure they face from the Global Coalition and the US administration. So far, they remain hesitant and lack a firm stance. This hesitation will allow ISIS and other terrorist groups to expand, regroup, and launch further attacks."

The Daily Express approached both the Foreign Office and Home Office for comment.

A UK government spokesperson said: "Our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK. We will take action to prevent those who engage in activity that threatens our national security from entering the UK and robust security checks are in place as part of the visa application process.

"The Syrian Government has taken decisive action against Da'esh. We will continue to work with relevant authorities across Syria to ensure Da'esh's enduring defeat."