**Title: Syria Arrests Five Former Air Force Officers for Civilian Strikes During Al-Assad Era**
*Published on September 18, 2026*
In a significant development in post-civil war Syria, security forces have apprehended five former air force officers accused of conducting air strikes on civilian populations during the regime of deposed President Bashar al-Assad. The arrests were made in a coordinated effort with the Counter Terrorism Directorate, as confirmed by the head of Syria’s Internal Security Forces in Tartous province.
The detained individuals include high-ranking military personnel, such as Major-General Mohammad Fajr Ali and Brigadier-General pilot Abdullah Ali Mualla, along with three other officers: Colonel pilot Nidal Hussein Saleh, Colonel Mohammad Ali Salim, and Lieutenant-Colonel pilot Talib Abdul Karim Hassan. These officers are alleged to have played critical roles in planning and executing air strikes that targeted populated areas, leading to extensive destruction, civilian casualties, and forced displacements.
Colonel Abdul Aal Mohammad Abdul Aal, the security chief, stated that the investigations and military records reveal the officers' involvement in utilizing the air force, airbases, and field command centers to carry out intensive combat airstrikes. The operations reportedly resulted in the devastation of residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The arrests come amid a broader crackdown on former officials associated with the al-Assad regime, which has faced widespread condemnation for its military tactics during the more than 13-year civil war. Since the fall of al-Assad in December 2024, the new Syrian government has initiated a series of arrests targeting former security officials. Earlier this month, authorities detained nine former pilots, including three generals, for their roles in lethal bombings against towns and villages during al-Assad's tenure.
This wave of arrests is part of ongoing efforts by the Syrian government to address past atrocities and hold accountable those responsible for war crimes. In August, a significant ruling saw Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher, and several other security officials sentenced to death in absentia for their involvement in wartime atrocities. Following the collapse of his regime, al-Assad is believed to have fled to Russia.
As investigations continue, the fate of the arrested officers remains uncertain, with their cases expected to be referred for trial. The ongoing legal actions signal a shift in Syria's approach to dealing with the legacy of the civil war and the actions of the previous regime, as the country grapples with the aftermath of years of conflict that claimed over half a million lives.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated as the new government seeks to establish its authority and address the grievances of the Syrian populace.