Ousted Syrian President’s Inner Circle: Where Are They Now?

Following the ousting of Syrian President Bashar Assad earlier this month, many high-ranking officials and members of his feared intelligence and security services have seemingly vanished. According to activists, some have managed to escape the country, while others have gone into hiding in their hometowns.

The Assad family had maintained a strict rule over Syria for more than 50 years, imprisoning and often torturing or killing those who challenged their authority. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) insurgent group that led the anti-government forces to overthrow Assad, has promised to bring those responsible for such abuses to justice. He stated that they would pursue these individuals within Syria and request foreign nations to extradite any suspects.

However, identifying and apprehending these individuals may prove challenging. Recently, around 8,000 Syrians have crossed into Lebanon through the Masnaa border, while approximately 5,000 have left Lebanon via Beirut’s international airport, according to Lebanese security and judicial officials. Most of these are believed to be ordinary citizens, and Lebanon’s Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi reported that no Syrian officials had entered Lebanon legally.

In an effort to prevent Assad’s government members from fleeing, a Lebanese officer associated with Assad’s brother was put on leave. Nonetheless, Rami Abdurrhaman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that several senior officers have reached Lebanon using false identities.

The following details provide insight into Assad and key officials in his inner circle:

Bashar Assad: Initially seen as a potential reformer when he took power in 2000, Assad soon resorted to brutal measures to suppress dissent during the 2011 protests, leading to a full-scale civil war. He has reportedly fled to Moscow.

Maher Assad: Bashar Assad’s younger brother, Maher, commanded the 4th Armored Division, known for committing numerous atrocities, including torture and extortion. He is under sanctions by the U.S. and Europe and is believed to have fled to Russia.

Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk: A former head of intelligence and security adviser to Assad, Mamlouk is wanted in Lebanon for his involvement in a 2012 bombing and has been convicted in France for war crimes. He is thought to have escaped to Lebanon.

Brig. Gen. Suheil al-Hassan: Al-Hassan, commander of the 25th Special Missions Forces Division, played a crucial role in many government victories during the civil war. He has close ties to Russia, but his current location is unknown.

Maj. Gen. Hussam Luka: Head of the General Security Directorate, Luka played a significant role in suppressing the opposition in Homs. He has been sanctioned by the U.S. and Britain, and his whereabouts are unclear.

Maj. Gen. Qahtan Khalil: Known as the “Butcher of Daraya” for leading a deadly 2012 attack, Khalil was the head of the Air Force Intelligence service. His current location is unknown.

Other Officials: Retired Maj. Gen. Jamil Hassan, previously head of the Air Force Intelligence, and involved in the Daraya attack, is among those convicted in France. Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ali Abbas and Maj. Gen. Bassam Merhej al-Hassan, head of Assad’s office, are also accused of human rights violations.