Ousted regime generals arrested over alleged abuses, military operations

Latakia, Aug 31 (SANA) Syrian internal security forces in Latakia, in cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Department arrested two senior officers of the ousted regime over alleged involvement in abuses and military operations during the years of the Syrian revolution.4

Major General Haitham Suleiman Barakat, former commander of the 11th Infantry Division, was accused of suppressing and detaining civilians, extortion, financial blackmail and fabricating terrorism charges, as well as involvement in the killing and disappearance of detainees and activists.

Brig. Gen Marwan Suleiman Barakat was accused of taking part in military operations carried out by the 15th Infantry Brigade of the 5th Division in Daraa, where he served as head of artillery from 2011 to 2019. He later commanded the 165th Artillery Regiment of the 1st Corps.

Investigations are underway to reach the details of the alleged abuses and determine responsibility.

The arrests are part of the Interior Ministry’s ongoing efforts to pursue those accused of crimes and abuses against Syrians and refer them to the competent courts.