Syrian security forces have arrested five former air force officers, including a major-general, accused of planning and executing airstrikes on populated areas during Bashar al-Assad's rule. The arrests in Tartous were coordinated with the Counter Terrorism Directorate and follow evidence reportedly found in military records and investigations. Authorities say the strikes caused neighbourhood destruction, displacement and heavy casualties; inquiries continue before the suspects are formally referred to trial.
Syria Detains Five Former Air Force Officers Over Alleged Civilian Airstrikes
A member of the former rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stands guard near an image of Syria's ousted former leader Bashar al-Assad [File: Yamam Al Shaar/Reuters]
Syrian security forces say they have detained five former air force officers, including a senior general, accused of planning and carrying out intensive airstrikes on populated areas during the rule of deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
Details Of The Arrests
The arrests were carried out in a series of coordinated operations with the Counter Terrorism Directorate in the coastal Tartous province, the head of Syria's Internal Security Forces said in a Friday statement. The detained personnel include pilots, field commanders and officers who served in operations rooms under the former regime.
Those Detained
The security statement identified the five as:
- Major-General Mohammad Fajr Ali
- Brigadier-General Pilot Abdullah Ali Mualla
- Colonel Pilot Nidal Hussein Saleh
- Colonel Mohammad Ali Salim
- Lieutenant-Colonel Pilot Talib Abdul Karim Hassan
Allegations And Evidence
Authorities say investigations and military records link each suspect, according to his role, to planning, directing and executing combat airstrikes that targeted populated neighbourhoods. The security chief accused the officers of using aircraft, airbases and field command centres to launch strikes that caused destruction to residential areas and infrastructure, forced displacement and substantial casualties.
“The detainees were involved in using the air force, airbases and field command centres to conduct intensive combat airstrikes targeting populated areas,” the statement said.
Legal Process And Context
Investigations are continuing and the suspects will be referred for trial when inquiries are complete, officials said. The arrests follow a wave of detentions since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, including recent reports that nine former pilots — among them three generals — were detained over alleged lethal bombings.
More than 13 years of conflict left a deep toll on Syria; the civil war claimed an estimated half million lives. In August, Syrian courts sentenced Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad and five other security officials to death in absentia for wartime atrocities. The former president fled as his government collapsed and is believed to be living in Russia.
Authorities say the detained officers will face trial pending the outcome of ongoing inquiries.
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