(https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/comments/feed/)  (RSS 2.0) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/feed/)  (Atom) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/feed/atom/)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/images/favicon.png) (../wp-content/themes/memouk/images/favicon.png)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css2@family=Inter%253Awght@400%3B500%3B600%3B700&family=Playfair+Display%253Awght@400%3B500%3B600%3B700&display=swap.css) (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@family=Material+Icons%257CMaterial+Icons+Outlined%257CMaterial+Icons+Two+Tone%257CMaterial+Icons+Round%257CMaterial+Icons+Sharp&display=swap.css) Syria arrests 5 Assad-era air force officers over attacks on populated areas – Middle East Monitor  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/)  (https://fonts.googleapis.com/)  (https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/)  (https://cdn.openshareweb.com/)  (https://cdn.shareaholic.net/)  (https://www.shareaholic.net/)  (https://analytics.shareaholic.com/)  (https://recs.shareaholic.com/)  (https://partner.shareaholic.com/)  (https://i0.wp.com/)  (https://c0.wp.com/)  (Middle East Monitor » Feed) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/feed/)  (Middle East Monitor » Comments Feed) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/comments/feed/)  (Middle East Monitor » Syria arrests 5 Assad-era air force officers over attacks on populated areas Comments Feed) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260918-syria-arrests-5-assad-era-air-force-officers-over-attacks-on-populated-areas/feed/)  (oEmbed (JSON)) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.middleeastmonitor.com%2F20260918-syria-arrests-5-assad-era-air-force-officers-over-attacks-on-populated-areas%2F)  (oEmbed (XML)) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.middleeastmonitor.com%2F20260918-syria-arrests-5-assad-era-air-force-officers-over-attacks-on-populated-areas%2F&format=xml)  (https://cdn.shareaholic.net/assets/pub/shareaholic.js)              (../wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/related-posts/related-posts.css@ver=20240116.css)  (../wp-content/plugins/casualty-widget/widget-style.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/css/styles.css@ver=6.1.6.css)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@subset=latin,latin-ext,cyrillic,cyrillic-ext&family=Open+Sans%253A400,600,700,800%257COpen Sans rel=)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@subset=latin,latin-ext,cyrillic,cyrillic-ext&family=Open+Sans%253A400%257COpen Sans rel=)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/style.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../../cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/bootstrap/5.2.3/css/bootstrap.min.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../../cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/bootstrap/5.2.3/css/bootstrap-grid.min.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../../cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.7.2/css/all.min.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/slick.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/slick-theme.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/style23.css@ver=asw.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/style-mega-menu.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/responsive6.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/quick-share.css@ver=0.1.css)  (../wp-content/plugins/ajax-search-lite/css/style.basic.css@ver=4.14.4.css)  (../wp-content/plugins/ajax-search-lite/css/style-simple-red.css@ver=4.14.4.css)  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-json/)  (JSON) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/866085)  (RSD) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd)   (index.html)  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=866085)  (https://fonts.gstatic.com)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@family=Open+Sans&display=swap.css)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@family=Open+Sans&display=swap.css)  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260918-syria-arrests-5-assad-era-air-force-officers-over-attacks-on-populated-areas/?amp)                 (../../i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png@fit=32,32&ssl=1)  (../../i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png@fit=64,64&ssl=1)  (../../i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png@fit=64,64&ssl=1)                (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) (Middle East Monitor)   clear   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news/asia-americas/) Asia & Americas  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news/africa-2/) Africa  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news/europe-russia/) Europe & Russia  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news/middle-east/) Middle East    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/) Opinion (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/articles-2/) Articles  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/blogs-2/) Blog  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/article/asia-americas/) Asia & Americas  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/article/africa-2/) Africa  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/article/europe-russia/) Europe & Russia  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/article/middle-east/) Middle East    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/) Reviews (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/review-books/) Books  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/review-films-documentaries/) Films & Documentaries  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/review-events-articles/) Events & Articles    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/interviews/) Features (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/interviews/) Interviews  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/profiles/) Profiles  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/on-this-day/) On this day  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/palestine-this-week/) Palestine This Week  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/memo-in-conversation-with/) MEMO in Conversation  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/dispatch-from-gaza/) Dispatch from Gaza    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/) Publications (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/reports/) Reports  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/briefing-papers/) Briefing Papers  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/fact-sheets/) Fact Sheets  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/documents/) Documents    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/) Multimedia (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/) Videos & Photo Stories  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/explained/) Explained  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/memo-monitoring/) MEMO Monitoring  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/youve-been-served/) You've Been Served  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/destinations-discover-the-middle-east/) Discover the Middle East  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/conferences/) MEMO Conferences: Speeches  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/infographics/) Infographics  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/twitter-trends/) Twitter Trends  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/podcasts/) Podcasts    expand_more  (index.html#) More (https://www.palestinebookawards.com/) Palestine Book Awards     (https://www.memopublishers.com/) MEMO Publishers     (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/about/) About Us  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/contact/) Contact Us    expand_more   (https://middleeastmonitor.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0f75dc11487e03cbba46b3dd8&id=294940df6c) Free Subscription     (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) (Middle East Monitor)    Creating new perspectives since 2009          English Edition expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/) English Edition  (http://www.monitordooriente.com/) Portuguese Edition     (https://middleeastmonitor.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0f75dc11487e03cbba46b3dd8&id=294940df6c) Free Subscription   (https://www.facebook.com/middleeastmonitor)    (https://twitter.com/middleeastmnt)    (https://www.instagram.com/middleeastmonitor/)    (https://www.threads.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.tiktok.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.youtube.com/@MEMonitor)    (https://middleeastmonitor.bsky.social)       search      (Search here..) ()  ()  (Start search)                          (0) (1) (0)   Generic selectors (exact)    Exact matches only   (title)    Search in title   (content)    Search in content   (excerpt)     Post Type Selectors (post)   (page)                 (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) (Middle East Monitor)           (https://middleeastmonitor.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0f75dc11487e03cbba46b3dd8&id=294940df6c) Free Subscription   (https://www.facebook.com/middleeastmonitor)    (https://twitter.com/middleeastmnt)    (https://www.instagram.com/middleeastmonitor/)    (https://www.threads.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.tiktok.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.youtube.com/@MEMonitor)    (https://middleeastmonitor.bsky.social)       search      (Search here..) ()  ()  (Start search)                    (0) (1) (0)   Generic selectors (exact)    Exact matches only   (title)    Search in title   (content)    Search in content   (excerpt)     Post Type Selectors (post)   (page)       Loading...                (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/middle-east/) Middle East ,  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) News ,  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/middle-east/syria/) Syria ,    Syria arrests 5 Assad-era air force officers over attacks on populated areas      (index.html#disqus_thread) 0 Comments   September 18, 2026 at 6:24 pm       (Security forces take strict security measures near the Ministry of Tourism building, in Damascus, Syria on July 7, 2026. [Anagha Subhash Nair - Anadolu Agency])   Security forces take strict security measures near the Ministry of Tourism building, in Damascus, Syria on July 7, 2026. [Anagha Subhash Nair – Anadolu Agency]             Syrian security forces arrested five senior air force officers and commanders who served under the deposed Bashar al-Assad regime over involvement in airstrikes on populated areas, the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA reported Friday. Col. Abdul Aal Mohammad Abdul Aal, head of Internal Security in the coastal Tartous province, said specialized units, in cooperation with the Anti-Terrorism Directorate, carried out a series of security operations that led to the arrests. Abdul Aal said the detainees included pilots, field commanders and officers who served in operations rooms under the former regime. Those detained were identified as Maj. Gen. Mohammad Fajr Ali, Brig. Gen. pilot Abdullah Ali Mualla, Col. pilot Nidal Hussein Saleh, Col. Mohammad Ali Salim and Lt. Col. pilot Talib Abdul Karim Hassan. Investigations and military records indicated that the five, each according to his position and responsibilities, were involved in planning, directing and carrying out airstrikes, he added. READ: (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-israel-poses-greatest-threat-to-regional-stability-syria-warns-un-security-council/) Israel poses ‘greatest threat’ to regional stability, Syria warns UN Security Council   According to the security chief, aircraft, air bases and field command centers were used to conduct intensive strikes on populated areas, resulting in the destruction of residential neighborhoods and infrastructure, forced displacement and extensive casualties. On Sept. 10, Latakia Internal Security Commander Abdulaziz al-Ahmad said a series of security operations led to the arrest of the nine pilots after surveillance, tracking, intelligence gathering, and investigations. He said the detainees had participated, according to the investigations and available information, in “numerous crimes and violations against the Syrian people,” exploiting their military positions and expertise in combat and helicopter aviation. The statement said the operations they took part in included bombardment and attacks that caused large numbers of deaths and injuries, inflicted extensive damage on cities and towns, displaced residents and destroyed homes, facilities and civilian infrastructure. Syrian authorities periodically announce the arrest of people accused of committing violations against civilians during the years of the revolution, which began in March 2011 before opposition forces entered Damascus and toppled the Assad regime on Dec. 8, 2024. READ: (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260918-us-court-sentences-former-syrian-prison-chief-to-60-years-for-torture-and-fraud/) US court sentences former Syrian prison chief to 60 years for torture and fraud    (index.html#disqus_thread) 0 Comments  (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) (Creative Commons License)   Unless otherwise stated in the article above, this work by (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License . If the image(s) bear our credit, this license also applies to them. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) What does that mean? For other permissions, please (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/contact) contact us .  Spotted an error on this page? Let us know    (22342)  (6.1.6)  (en_US)  (wpcf7-f22342-p866085-o1)  (866085)  ()  ()   (Email Address (if you require a response)) ()    (What is the error?)    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google (https://policies.google.com/privacy) Privacy Policy and (https://policies.google.com/terms) Terms of Service apply.  (Send)   Δ  (157)             (index.html#disqus_thread) 0 Comments     Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.   Latest news (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) See all  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-in-gaza-city-500000-students-turn-to-tent-classrooms-to-resume-education-amid-devastating-war-damage/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-in-gaza-city-500000-students-turn-to-tent-classrooms-to-resume-education-amid-devastating-war-damage/) In Gaza City, 500,000 students turn to tent classrooms to resume education amid devastating war damage   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-in-gaza-city-500000-students-turn-to-tent-classrooms-to-resume-education-amid-devastating-war-damage/) Muhammad Hussein      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-new-israeli-airstrikes-hit-southern-lebanon-despite-us-deal/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-new-israeli-airstrikes-hit-southern-lebanon-despite-us-deal/) New Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon despite US deal   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-new-israeli-airstrikes-hit-southern-lebanon-despite-us-deal/) Muhammad Hussein      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-the-makkah-pacts-first-test-can-pakistan-defend-saudi-arabia-without-entering-yemens-war/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-the-makkah-pacts-first-test-can-pakistan-defend-saudi-arabia-without-entering-yemens-war/) The Makkah Pact’s first test: Can Pakistan defend Saudi Arabia without entering Yemen’s war?   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-the-makkah-pacts-first-test-can-pakistan-defend-saudi-arabia-without-entering-yemens-war/) Muhammad Hussein      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-iranian-pakistani-foreign-ministers-discuss-regional-developments-amid-us-iran-deadlock/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-iranian-pakistani-foreign-ministers-discuss-regional-developments-amid-us-iran-deadlock/) Iranian, Pakistani foreign ministers discuss regional developments amid US-Iran deadlock   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-iranian-pakistani-foreign-ministers-discuss-regional-developments-amid-us-iran-deadlock/) Muhammad Hussein      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-indonesian-president-chants-free-palestine-at-reception/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-indonesian-president-chants-free-palestine-at-reception/) Indonesian president chants ‘Free Palestine’ at reception   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260919-indonesian-president-chants-free-palestine-at-reception/) Muhammad Hussein      Subscribe to our newsletter () (Email Address) Sign up           (https://www.memopublishers.com/publications/islam-race-and-rebellion-in-the-americas-transatlantic-echoes-of-the-west-african-jihads/) (Islam Race and Rebellion in the Americas: Transatlantic Echoes of the West African Jihads)      (https://www.memopublishers.com/publications/engaging-the-world-the-making-of-hamas-foreign-policy) (Engaging the World: The Making of Hamas’s Foreign Policy)            Related Posts      Trending  (index.html#memoTodayTrending) Today  (index.html#memoWeeklyTrending) This week   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/articles-2/) (Article) Article (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260918-indonesias-bandung-institute-of-technology-must-investigate-and-end-its-israel-exchange-link/) (Indonesia’s Bandung Institute of Technology must investigate, and end, its Israel exchange link) Indonesia’s Bandung Institute of Technology must investigate, and end, its Israel exchange link   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260918-israeli-army-faces-severe-troop-shortage-prepares-to-halt-leave-israeli-media/) (Israeli army faces severe troop shortage, prepares to halt leave: Israeli media) Israeli army faces severe troop shortage, prepares to halt leave: Israeli media   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260918-poll-shows-48-of-israelis-prefer-eisenkot-as-premier-compared-with-40-for-netanyahu/) (Poll shows 48% of Israelis prefer Eisenkot as premier, compared with 40% for Netanyahu) Poll shows 48% of Israelis prefer Eisenkot as premier, compared with 40% for Netanyahu   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260918-red-cross-spokesperson-death-and-destruction-for-palestinians-in-gaza-continues-every-day/) (Red Cross spokesperson: ‘Death and destruction for Palestinians in Gaza continues every day’) Red Cross spokesperson: ‘Death and destruction for Palestinians in Gaza continues every day’   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260918-italian-aircraft-hit-in-attack-on-saudi-arabian-air-base/) (Italian aircraft hit in attack on Saudi Arabian air base) Italian aircraft hit in attack on Saudi Arabian air base      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-we-are-not-like-everyone-else-laws-that-bind-other-nations-do-not-apply-to-israel-says-likud-lawmaker/) (‘We are not like everyone else’ laws that bind other nations do not apply to Israel, says Likud lawmaker) ‘We are not like everyone else’ laws that bind other nations do not apply to Israel, says Likud lawmaker   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260913-iran-says-leaving-nuclear-treaty-revising-nuclear-doctrine-easily-achievable/) (Iran says leaving nuclear treaty, revising nuclear doctrine ‘easily achievable’) Iran says leaving nuclear treaty, revising nuclear doctrine ‘easily achievable’   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260913-iran-says-us-attack-on-commercial-vessel-in-gulf-kills-1-injures-3/) (Iran says ‘US attack’ on commercial vessel in Gulf kills 1, injures 3) Iran says ‘US attack’ on commercial vessel in Gulf kills 1, injures 3   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/articles-2/) (Article) Article (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260913-from-maximum-pressure-to-maximum-leverage-what-a-us-iran-nuclear-deal-should-look-like/) (From maximum pressure to maximum leverage: What a US-Iran nuclear deal should look like) From maximum pressure to maximum leverage: What a US-Iran nuclear deal should look like   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/articles-2/) (Article) Article (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260918-indonesias-bandung-institute-of-technology-must-investigate-and-end-its-israel-exchange-link/) (Indonesia’s Bandung Institute of Technology must investigate, and end, its Israel exchange link) Indonesia’s Bandung Institute of Technology must investigate, and end, its Israel exchange link              (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) (Middle East Monitor)      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/africa-2/) Africa  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/asia-americas/) Asia & Americas  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/middle-east/) Middle East  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/europe-russia/) Europe  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/review-books/) Book Reviews     (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/blogs-2/) Blog  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/) Opinion  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/) Reviews  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/) Multimedia  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240130-podcasts-middle-east-monitor-conversations/) Podcast: Middle East Monitor Conversations  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240130-podcasts-palestine-this-week/) Podcast: Palestine This Week     (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/editorial-guidelines/) Editorial Guidelines  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/about/) About Us  (https://www.palestinebookawards.com) Palestine Book Awards  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/contact/) Contact Us  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/privacy/) Privacy Policy  (https://www.memopublishers.com/) MEMO Publishers  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/all-stories/) All Stories Archive     Subscribe to our newsletter () (Email Address) Sign up      (https://www.facebook.com/middleeastmonitor)    (https://twitter.com/middleeastmnt)    (https://www.instagram.com/middleeastmonitor/)    (https://www.threads.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.tiktok.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.youtube.com/@MEMonitor)    (https://middleeastmonitor.bsky.social)            © Ardi Associates Ltd 2009- . All Rights Reserved | (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/editorial-availability-intellectual-property/) Legal Pages | (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/privacy/) Privacy Policy  Middle East Monitor is owned and operated by (https://www.ardi-associates.co.uk/) Ardi Associates Ltd