DAMASCUS — Syrian authorities announced on Saturday the arrest of a former presidential aide accused of involvement in abuses committed during the era of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.In a statement posted on X, Syria’s Interior Ministry said security forces, in coordination with the Counterterrorism Directorate, arrested Major General Wajih Ali al-Abdullah in what it described as a “swift security operation.”Al-Abdullah served as director of military affairs at the presidential palace for 13 years under Assad, according to the ministry.The ministry described him as “one of the pillars of the former regime’s inner circle” and accused him of coordinating “repressive practices and grave violations” against Syrian civilians during his tenure.Investigations showed that Al-Abdullah held the post between 2005 and 2018, a period the ministry described as one of the bloodiest chapters in Syria’s modern history.The arrest is part of an ongoing campaign targeting former Syrian military and security officials accused of involvement in violations committed during the Syrian revolution.On Friday, Syrian authorities also detained Gen. Khardal Ahmad Dioub, who is accused of involvement in a chemical attack on Eastern Ghouta near Damascus.The arrest came days after authorities detained Amjad Youssef, who is accused of carrying out the 2013 Tadamon neighborhood massacre in Damascus.Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, 2024, ending the Baath Party’s decades-long rule that began in 1963. A transitional administration led by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January 2025.DAMASCUS — Syrian authorities announced on Saturday the arrest of a former presidential aide accused of involvement in abuses committed during the era of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.In a statement posted on X, Syria’s Interior Ministry said security forces, in coordination with the Counterterrorism Directorate, arrested Major General Wajih Ali al-Abdullah in what it described as a “swift security operation.”Al-Abdullah served as director of military affairs at the presidential palace for 13 years under Assad, according to the ministry.The ministry described him as “one of the pillars of the former regime’s inner circle” and accused him of coordinating “repressive practices and grave violations” against Syrian civilians during his tenure.Investigations showed that Al-Abdullah held the post between 2005 and 2018, a period the ministry described as one of the bloodiest chapters in Syria’s modern history.The arrest is part of an ongoing campaign targeting former Syrian military and security officials accused of involvement in violations committed during the Syrian revolution.On Friday, Syrian authorities also detained Gen. Khardal Ahmad Dioub, who is accused of involvement in a chemical attack on Eastern Ghouta near Damascus.The arrest came days after authorities detained Amjad Youssef, who is accused of carrying out the 2013 Tadamon neighborhood massacre in Damascus.Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, 2024, ending the Baath Party’s decades-long rule that began in 1963. A transitional administration led by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January 2025.
Syria arrests former Assad aide accused of abuses against civilians
