The announcement by the so-called Ahmad Hammad al-As'ad, known as "Abu Fadel," regarding his meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, has sparked a wave of criticism. This comes days after he was accused of making inciting statements against the Kurds and the "Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)," and amidst human rights reports detailing his role in armed movements and hate speech in northeastern Syria.
Ahmad Hammad al-As'ad stated on his Facebook page that he met with Guterres, who concluded an official visit to Syria on Monday that had lasted since Saturday. During the visit, Guterres met with senior Syrian officials, led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. This marks the first visit by a UN Secretary-General to Syria since 2009.
The announcement of the meeting came shortly after statements attributed to Ahmad Hammad al-As'ad were circulated and described as inciting against the Kurds and the SDF. Reference was also made to his participation in the attack on the As-Suwayda Governorate in July 2025, while video recordings dating back to 2012 show his presence alongside artillery shelling Kurdish neighborhoods in the city of Sere Kaniye / Ras al-Ayn during an attack launched by armed factions on the Kurdish city, historically known as "Washukani."
In a related context, Kurdish circles criticized the UN Secretary-General for not holding meetings with Kurdish figures or parties during his visit, considering that the itinerary was limited to meeting representatives of the authority, its affiliated institutions, or parties that do not align against it.
In a statement issued on July 24, 2026, Rights Monitor Syria expressed its "deep concern" over the escalation of armed mobilization operations in Hasakah Governorate under the banner of "Arab Tribes," warning that the inciting rhetoric against the Kurds threatens a dangerous escalation that endangers civil peace.
The statement pointed out the appearance of Ahmad Hammad al-As'ad, known as "Abu Fadel," among the events of this mobilization, noting that his name—according to the organization—is linked to participation in the violations that As-Suwayda Governorate witnessed during July 2025. The statement also referenced the participation of other figures, including Qusay al-Shammari, who is accused of committing documented violations during the same events.
The platform added that the continued appearance of figures linked to serious violations within armed mobilization events raises fears of the situation sliding into a new wave of violence, especially given the ongoing agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the interim Syrian authorities on January 29, 2026, and the absence of any official announcement indicating its collapse.
Rights Monitor Syria considered that allowing armed groups operating outside the framework of official institutions and adopting rhetoric directed against ethnic or religious components to persist represents a direct threat to stability. It called for an immediate halt to all forms of armed mobilization outside state institutions, the launching of independent investigations into hate speech and incitement to violence, and holding accountable anyone who calls for or incites the commission of crimes against any ethnic or religious component.
Furthermore, the platform demanded urgent measures to prevent the spread of unregulated weapons, adherence to existing agreements, the protection of civilians, and ensuring respect for the rights of all Syrian components without discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
Rights Monitor Syria concluded its statement by warning that the continuation of hate speech and incitement against the Kurds, alongside manifestations of armed mobilization of an ethnic or religious nature, portends dangerous consequences for civil peace and social coexistence. It called on the Syrian authorities and all active parties to act urgently to stop inciting rhetoric, hold those responsible accountable, and prevent any new violations against civilians.
Note: This text is translated from the original Arabic version. Read the Arabic version:Click here
