Syrian authorities continue to intensify the campaign to arrest former military and intelligence officials tied to the former Assad regime, announcing several high-profile detentions in recent days tied to alleged crimes against civilians during the country’s civil war.
May 9, Syria’s Interior Ministry said security forces arrested former Major General Wajih Ali al-Abdullah, who served for 13 years as director of the military affairs office for Assad. In a statement, the ministry described Abdullah as “one of the pillars of the inner circle of the defunct regime” and accused him of coordinating “repressive practices and grave violations” against civilians during his service in the Presidential Palace.
According to the ministry, Abdullah held the position from 2005 until 2018, a period officials described as “the bloodiest in the country’s history.” Authorities said the arrest followed a joint operation by Internal Security Units and the Counter-Terrorism Department. The ministry said the arrest forms part of broader efforts to pursue senior officers and officials accused of crimes against humanity during Assad’s rule and prepare cases for trial.
Security Forces Pursue Alleged War Crimes
Last week Syrian officials announced several arrests including Brig. Gen. Khardal Ahmad Dioub and former Brig. Gen. Suhail Fajr Hassan, both of whom held senior military posts during the war. The Interior Ministry also announced the arrest of Jalal Abdulhamid al-Maleh during a security operation in the Zabadani area near Damascus.
Authorities accused Maleh of involvement in the killing of defected Lt. Muhammad Issa and of handing over revolutionaries like Abdullah Mahrez to regime forces. Mahrez later died in prison, according to Syrian officials.
The ministry said the operation was conducted jointly by the Counter-Terrorism Department and Internal Security forces as part of continuing efforts to track down individuals accused of killings and abuses during the conflict.
Questions Regarding Accountability
The recent arrests signal an effort by Syria’s current authorities to demonstrate accountability for wartime abuses following years of international criticism over impunity for crimes committed during the conflict. Still, legal experts and human rights organizations have long questioned whether Syria’s judicial system can independently prosecute figures tied to the former regime.
International investigations into alleged war crimes committed by all sides during the conflict remain ongoing. The Interior Ministry has not disclosed additional details regarding the legal proceedings against the detained officials or when formal trials may begin.
