Forensic photograph of the former Syrian general Adel Issa, extradited to Syria on Aug. 19 after his arrest in Lebanon. (Credit: Photo taken from the Syrian interior ministry's Telegram account)
BEIRUT — Lebanese authorities handed over to Damascus on Wednesday former Syrian general Adel Issa, who was arrested in Lebanon earlier this month, after Syria issued a warrant accusing him of murder and crimes against humanity, the Syrian interior ministry said.
Issa, 67, led the 17th Division and ground forces in Deir ez-Zor until 2016 under the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad. He was handed over to Syrian authorities after Lebanon approved his extradition earlier this week, the ministry said in a statement on Telegram.
Lebanese authorities had arrested Issa following a warrant issued by Lebanon’s prosecutor general at the Court of Cassation, at the request of Syrian authorities. Damascus accuses him of premeditated murder, facilitating crimes, the intentional killing of more than two people, torture resulting in death, and acts of aggression aimed at provoking civil war and sectarian clashes.
The case is now being reviewed by a fourth investigative judge in Damascus, who will decide whether to refer Issa to the Damascus Criminal Court, according to the Syrian authorities.
A Lebanese judicial source said Tuesday that the extradition was carried out under a 1951 judicial agreement between Beirut and Damascus, based on legal requirements and documents submitted by Syria. The file, the source said, contains evidence indicating that Issa committed crimes on Syrian territory.
Issa went to the Syrian Embassy in Beirut on Aug. 7 to complete administrative procedures. After learning of the warrant issued by Damascus, embassy staff asked Lebanese authorities to arrest him.
Since the fall of Assad, Syrian authorities have arrested dozens of people accused of crimes committed during the country’s 13-year civil war, with trials beginning in April.
On Aug. 11, in the first set of rulings, a Syrian court sentenced Assad, who fled to Russia, to death in absentia for “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity.” Seven former military and security officials were also sentenced to death, with only one appearing in court.
Lebanon and Syria have sought to open a new chapter in their relations since the fall of the Assad regime and the weakening of its ally Hezbollah. Syria exercised political and military control over Lebanon for decades under Assad and was accused of involvement in numerous assassinations there. Since 2024, officials from the two countries have held several meetings and agreed to cooperate on issues including security.
