Syrian forces kill former Assad-era army commander during arrest attempt PHOTO

Syrian security forces said on August 30 that they killed a former army commander who served under ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad after he opened fire on them during an attempt to arrest him.

In a statement cited by Asharq Al-Awsat, the forces accused Firas Abdul Karim Hammoud of participating in anti-government insurrections that resulted in the deaths of security personnel.

According to the statement, Hammoud served as a commander in the special forces of the so-called “25th Division” under Assad’s rule. The forces also said he had taken part in “armed insurrection operations” targeting state institutions and resulting in the deaths of security personnel.

Since Assad’s fall in December 2024, Syria’s new authorities have arrested dozens of security officials who served under his rule, with trials beginning in April.

By Jeyhun Aghazada