Newsletters
Syrian security forces arrested a former major general who served in the Republican Guard under ousted president Bashar al-Assad, authorities said Saturday, accusing him of directing military operations against areas once held by rebels during the country's 13-year civil war.
Ahmed Mohammad Ismail, described by security forces as a high-ranking commander in the former regime's Republican Guard, was taken into custody as part of an ongoing campaign by Syria's new authorities to hold former officials accountable for wartime conduct.
According to military records cited by security forces, Ismail began his career as a platoon commander before rising to company commander in the 2nd Battalion of the 101st Airborne Regiment.
He was promoted to Chief of Operations of the same regiment in early 2016, a post from which he "directly participated in commanding military assaults" on Aleppo, Daraa and Eastern Ghouta, according to the statement.
Eastern Ghouta, a suburb near Damascus, was a rebel stronghold for years before government forces retook it in 2018. The area also holds a darker distinction: it was the site of a chemical attack in 2013 that, according to U.S. intelligence assessments, killed more than 1,000 people with sarin nerve gas.
That attack was attributed to the government of Bashar al-Assad, who was removed from power in December 2024; his government at the time denied responsibility and blamed rebel forces.
Ismail's arrest is the latest in a series of detentions carried out by Syria's new Islamist-led authorities, who have arrested dozens of former security officials since Assad's fall and opened trials in April.
Earlier this month, authorities announced the arrest of nine former pilots, including three generals, accused of involvement in lethal bombings of towns and villages under Assad's rule.
In August, a Syrian court sentenced Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and five other security officials to death in absentia for atrocities committed during the civil war. The former president fled the country as his government collapsed and is believed to be living in Russia.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
