Syria’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) has launched an intensified campaign to root out war criminals, rogue officers and organized criminal networks in an ongoing effort to restore order and enforce rule of law in the post-conflict landscape.
July 1, the Internal Security Forces in Idlib province arrested former regime colonel Ziad Kokash, who played a central role in suppressing protests and organizing military campaigns against anti-government areas. According to an official ministry statement, Kokash had retired in 2016 but later joined the 25th Division under Major General Suhail al-Hassan, continuing his involvement in security operations. His arrest is part of a series of coordinated efforts to apprehend individuals linked to human rights violations and war crimes.
The operation followed the recent capture of Major General Mowaffaq Nazir Haidar, formerly head of the 3rd Tank Division and commander of the notorious Qatifa checkpoint in Damascus countryside. Brigadier General Rami Munir Ismail, former director of Air Force Intelligence in Latakia and Tartous, was also apprehended while attempting to flee the country. Both are accused of overseeing grave abuses against civilians during the conflict.
Justice for Karm al-Zaytoun
Authorities also made a major breakthrough arresting Hassan al-Dawwa, who confessed to participating in the 2012 killings in Homs. Dawwa admitted to field executions, home invasions and arson, actions that, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, contributed to the deaths of at least 42 civilians, including children.
Testimonies from survivors and neighborhood residents have corroborated Dawwa’s account, reigniting calls from civil society groups for the establishment of a transitional justice mechanism to prosecute perpetrators and provide redress for victims.
Combating Smuggling and Armed Gangs
The Interior Ministry’s operations have not been limited to high-ranking officers. In Deir Ezzor, security forces seized a shipment of missiles from arms traffickers in Mayadeen and recently foiled a smuggling attempt involving guided missiles destined for Lebanon. The latter operation, carried out in Homs, involved a local group allegedly linked to Hezbollah.
Officials say these efforts reflect a strategy to dismantle smuggling networks and restore Syria’s sovereignty over its borders. The ministry affirmed its willingness to coordinate with neighboring countries in order to curb arms and drug trafficking.
In Latakia province, security forces arrested a kidnapping gang during an attempted abduction in Beit Yashot. Authorities reported the suspects were armed and now in custody. Similar operations have dismantled multiple gangs in recent months.
Institutional Reform and Internal Accountability
Alongside field operations, the MoI is also implementing internal reforms aimed at professionalizing the security apparatus. On July 1, officials in Daraa announced the dismissal of over 200 personnel for “violations deemed harmful to the institution’s integrity.” According to the ministry, the dismissals are part of a strict accountability framework designed to rebuild public trust.
“Commitment to discipline and the rule of law must begin within our own ranks,” the ministry said in a statement. Additional dismissals occurred in Deir Ezzor, where nine security personnel were removed for crimes including bribery and dereliction of duty.
As Syria continues to emerge from a decade of war, officials emphasize that ongoing security operations are critical to ensuring accountability, curbing crime and reinforcing state institutions.
