Syria Detains Assad-Era General Accused of Bloody Crackdown

Syrian authorities have detained former Major-General Mohammed Ali Durgham, an Assad-era military officer accused of involvement in some of the bloodiest episodes of the country’s modern history.

Syria’s Internal Security Forces announced the arrest, saying Durgham was accused of participating in the 1982 Hama massacre and ordering security forces to fire on unarmed protesters during the 2011 uprising.

Accusations Against the Former General

Durgham is alleged to have played a role in the repression of opposition during the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad. The 2011 crackdown helped fuel the uprising that eventually developed into Syria’s devastating civil war.

The Hama massacre took place under the rule of Bashar al-Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, when government forces violently suppressed an uprising in the city. Thousands of people were killed, although estimates of the death toll vary widely.

Wider Campaign Against Assad-Era Figures

Durgham’s detention comes as Syria’s new authorities continue efforts to locate and prosecute former officials accused of serious abuses under the Assad government.

The arrests are part of a broader push for accountability following the collapse of Assad’s government in December 2024. The new authorities have also been pursuing individuals accused of war crimes and other abuses committed during the decades-long Assad era.

The detention of Durgham could therefore become another important test of Syria’s efforts to hold senior figures from the former regime accountable for alleged crimes against civilians.