When Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in Syria, it wasn’t only the president who vanished; top security and military officials, infamous for their involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity, also disappeared. These individuals were deeply tied to security branches and prisons where thousands of Syrians have sought information about their missing loved ones.
Since the announcement of the regime’s fall in Damascus, conflicting reports emerged regarding Assad’s whereabouts. Russian sources ultimately confirmed that Assad and his family fled to Russia, where they were granted humanitarian asylum. This came after initial confusion surrounding the plane that reportedly transported him from Damascus late Saturday night.
Disappearance of Security Figures
Among the key security figures missing after the regime’s fall is Ali Mamlouk, who served as the National Security Advisor to Bashar al-Assad. Similarly, the fate of Assad’s brother, Maher al-Assad, who led the “Fourth Armored Division” for decades, remains unknown, with speculation that he fled alongside Bashar.
Other prominent officials whose whereabouts remain unclear include Ali Mahmoud Abbas, the former Minister of Defense. His last public appearance was in a televised address last Thursday, where he emphasized Syria’s ongoing battle against “terrorist organizations using guerrilla tactics.”
The list of missing officials also includes:
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- Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim, Chief of General Staff
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- Kifah Milhem, Head of the National Security Bureau
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- Qahtan Khalil, Chief of Military Intelligence
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- Munzer Saad Ibrahim, Head of Operations
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- Suhail Nadeem Abbas, Director of Military Operations
For years, it was well-known in Syria that the Republican Guard, the Fourth Division, and Special Forces were responsible for protecting the presidential palace in Damascus. However, following the regime’s collapse, there has been no trace of these units.
The Fall of the Presidential Palaces
With no visible presence of the Republican Guard, Fourth Division, or Special Forces, Syrian opposition fighters and civilians stormed the presidential palace on Mount Qasioun, where Assad once resided. They also entered the “People’s Palace,” with footage showing a massive tunnel beneath Maher al-Assad’s residence. The tunnel was lavishly equipped, reflecting the regime’s opulence even during its downfall.
Missing Military Leaders
Among those who disappeared with Bashar al-Assad are:
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- Ghassan Iskandar Tarraf, Commander of the Republican Guard
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- Suhail Fayad Asaad, Commander of the First Corps
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- Mohammed Khalif al-Mohammed, Commander of the Second Corps
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- Ahmed Yousef Malla, Commander of the Third Corps
Other notable absentees include:
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- Haitham Asaf, Commander of the Fourth Corps
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- Omran Mahmoud Omran, Commander of the Fifth Corps
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- Saleh al-Abdullah, Commander of the 25th Division
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- Suhail al-Hassan, Commander of the Special Forces
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- Ghaith Deeb, Head of Political Security
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- Hossam Louqa, Director of General Intelligence
Calls for Accountability
Meanwhile, calls for justice have intensified. The director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdulrahman, emphasized the need to prosecute Bashar al-Assad and key regime figures, regardless of their current location.
Abdulrahman listed several names that should face trial, including:
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- Kifah Milhem, Head of Military Intelligence, described as “one of Syria’s criminals.”
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- Suhail al-Hassan, known for his infamous “barrel bomb strategy,” which destroyed numerous Syrian towns.
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- Maher al-Assad, accused of launching chemical attacks on Eastern Ghouta and other areas.
The Observatory director stressed that Syrian people deserve justice and should celebrate the prosecution of those responsible for their suffering.
A Grim Legacy
As the Assad regime crumbles, the whereabouts of its top officials remain a mystery, leaving Syrians to grapple with the trauma of years of brutality. The pursuit of justice and accountability now takes center stage, as calls to prosecute the regime’s most notorious figures grow louder.
