Former Syrian general who led attacks on rebels during civil war arrested

Former Syrian general who led attacks on rebels during civil war arrested Syrian authorities have 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.

US intelligence says more than 1,000 people were killed with sarin nerve gas in the suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus, in 2013 during Syria's civil war.

The attack was attributed to the Syrian government under the rule of Bashar al-Assad, who was toppled in late 2024. The government at the time denied involvement and blamed rebels.

Report by AFP