Interpol cancels red notice for 24,511 Syrian passports flagged by Assad regime
What happened
Syria's Interior Ministry announced that Interpol has cancelled a 2024 red notice for 24,511 Syrian passports. According to the ministry director Abdulrahim Jabara, the Assad regime had requested the international alert in November 2024, claiming the passports were stolen from migration centres following the liberation of Aleppo. Interpol's decision to revoke the notice suggests the alert was not substantiated or was based on false premises.
Context and assessment
The timing of the red notice request—November 2024, immediately after opposition forces took control of Aleppo—indicates the regime may have issued it as a defensive measure during a period of significant territorial loss. The allegation of passport theft from state facilities reflected broader instability as the Assad government lost administrative control over key population centres. Interpol's cancellation suggests international scrutiny of the regime's claims and may reflect diplomatic pressure or evidence that the notice lacked legal merit. Recent related announcements from Damascus indicate attempts to restore institutional legitimacy through international engagement, including UN digital cooperation and chemical weapons destruction verification.
Sources and confidence
Single source: Telegram channel @AJSyriaNow reporting a statement by Syrian Interior Ministry official. No cross-confirmation from independent media or international bodies has been located. Confidence is moderate because the claim concerns Interpol's administrative action, which is verifiable through official channels, but relies on the regime's characterization of events. Independent confirmation from Interpol or international media would substantially raise confidence.
Location
Damascus, Syria, the capital and seat of the Syrian government. The announcement was made by Interior Ministry officials at the administrative centre. The passports in question originated from migration centres in northern Syria, particularly areas around Aleppo, which came under opposition control in late 2024.
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