Syria: Arrest of a Senior Leader of the Republican Guard During Assad's Rule

- The Syrian Internal Security Forces announced that they have arrested former Major General Ahmad Muhammad Ismail, one of the top leaders in the Republican Guard during the rule of Bashar al-Assad. The Internal Security Forces explained in a statement via their Telegram channel on Saturday that "the military records of former Major General Ahmad Muhammad Ismail indicate his progression through several leadership roles," noting that he began his career as a platoon leader, then as a company commander in the second battalion of the 101st Airborne Brigade, before being promoted in early 2016 to Chief of Operations of the same brigade, and his direct participation in leading military attacks on the cities of Aleppo, Daraa, and Eastern Ghouta, according to the Syrian news agency "SANA."

The Internal Security Forces indicated that Ahmad Muhammad Ismail progressed through high-ranking positions, where he served as Chief of Staff of the Republican Guard for six months, then was appointed Deputy Commander of the 14th Division specialized in airborne operations for a year, before becoming the commander of the same division, remaining in his position until the liberation of Syria. The Internal Security Forces confirmed that the relevant authorities will continue their investigations with the arrested individual to complete the necessary legal and judicial procedures against him.

On September 9, the Internal Security Forces in Latakia province announced the arrest of nine pilots whom they said were involved in committing "war crimes" against the Syrian people, through bombing and targeting operations that resulted in a large number of casualties and injuries.