Syria says arrested Assad-era general who led attacks on rebels

Syrian authorities on Saturday said they arrested a general who served under the rule of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, saying he led operations against formerly rebel-held areas during the country's 13-year civil war.

In a statement, security forces announced "the arrest of former Major General Ahmed Mohammad Ismail, a high-ranking commander in the Republican Guard of the former regime's army."

Military records indicate that "he began his service as a platoon commander, then served as a company commander in the 2nd Battalion of the 101st Airborne Regiment. He was subsequently promoted, at the beginning of 2016, to Chief of Operations of the same regiment, and directly participated in commanding military assaults on the cities of Aleppo and Daraa, as well as on Eastern Ghouta."

Located near Damascus, Eastern Ghouta was a rebel stronghold during the civil war until 2018, and the site of a major chemical attack five years prior. U.S. intelligence says more than 1,000 people were killed with sarin nerve gas in the suburb in 2013.

The attack was attributed to the Syrian government under Assad's rule, toppled in late 2024, which denied involvement and blamed rebels.

Since Assad was overthrown in December 2024, Syria's new Islamist authorities have arrested dozens of former security officials, while trials began in April.

Earlier this month, Syrian authorities said they had arrested nine former pilots, including three generals, accused of taking part in lethal bombings of towns and villages under Assad's rule.

Syria sentenced Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and five other security officials to death in absentia in August for atrocities committed during the civil war.

The former president fled Syria as his government fell and is believed to be living in Russia.