Syrian authorities and Turkish intelligence carried out a joint operation inside Syria resulting in the arrest of 10 Turkish citizens suspected of belonging to ISIS, according to Turkish state media reports. Turkey’s Anadolu news agency and TRT reported nine of the suspects were transferred to Turkey following the operation. One suspect allegedly maintained links to those responsible for the 2015 bombing outside Ankara’s main train station, an attack that killed over 100 people.
Authorities also accused two of the detainees of planning or participating in attacks against Turkish soldiers deployed in northern Syria. Turkish media reported the suspects joined ISIS between 2014 and 2017, though officials did not disclose where the arrests took place. The operation reflects growing coordination between Damascus and Ankara on counterterrorism efforts following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024.
Former Republican Guard Commander Arrested
Separately, Syria’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of former Major Gen. Muhammad Niyuf, who held several senior military positions under the Assad regime. The ministry said Internal Security Forces conducted what it described as a “qualitative” security operation after extensive monitoring and surveillance. Officials accused Niyuf of involvement in violations committed during the Syrian revolution.
According to the ministry, Niyuf previously served in the Third Corps, commanded the 18th Armored Division and later became chief of staff of the 11th Division in 2020. He also commanded the 105th Brigade of the Republican Guard in 2016. Human rights reports cited by Syrian media accused Niyuf of involvement in operations and massacres in Hama and Homs provinces during the war.
Sednaya Prison Personnel Under Investigation
Syrian authorities also intensified investigations into former personnel connected to Sednaya Military Prison, long associated with torture and executions under Assad. Internal Security Forces arrested former military police sergeant Muhammad Imad Mahrez, who worked as a guard and prison warden at Sednaya prison beginning in 2015, according to the Interior Ministry.
Officials said investigations remain ongoing to determine Mahrez’s alleged role in abuses committed at the prison, though authorities did not disclose details about his arrest location. The detention followed an earlier arrest involving a former Sednaya prison guard whose identity authorities withheld.
Since Assad’s fall, officials announced multiple arrests of former prison personnel accused of participating in torture, executions and abuses against detainees. In September 2025, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of former prison guard Hassan Hassan al-Hussein during a joint operation in Aleppo province involving the Counter-Terrorism Branch.
