Syrian national team captain leaves opposition and returns to Damascus

Firas Khatib, Syrian national team’s captain, arrived surprisingly at Damascus after an absence for years during which he was taking sides with the opposition.

Khatib arrived wearing the shirt of the national team again, and was welcomed by Syria national team’s director, according to a video that was posted by Syrian groups via Facebook.

He had said in July 2012 that he would not play for the Syrian team in light of the continued bombing.

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"Six years after his absence from the homeland, Syrian captain Firas Al Khatib arrives in Damascus to join our national team’s camp to prepare for Qatar and Iran in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers," said Syrian Facebook page Dimashk Alaan.

Also, Karam club announced that Khatib is going to join its team starting from the new season.

On the other hand, pages of Syrian opposition criticized Firas Khatib, describing his return as backstabbing the Syrian revolution.

Since the beginning of this year, a number of opponents have returned to Damascus after settling their statuses with authorities.