Syria Takes Custody of Ex-Assad General Accused of War Crimes

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Damascus: Syrian officials have detained former Major General Adel Issa after Lebanon extradited him to face charges of murder, torture, and crimes against humanity. The handover marks the first extradition of a former Syrian military officer from Lebanon since Bashar al-Assad's ouster in December 2024.

Issa, 67, previously led the Syrian army's 17th Division and later served as commander of government ground forces in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria. Syrian authorities accuse him of murder, torture, and activities intended to provoke civil war and sectarian strife. Issa has disputed the charges, claiming he followed military orders.

On August 8, Lebanese police arrested Issa when he went to the Syrian Embassy in Beirut to fill out administrative papers. According to officials, embassy staff recognised him as a wanted man and notified Lebanese authorities. He reportedly entered Lebanon illegally after Assad's ouster.

The extradition was carried out pursuant to a 1951 bilateral judicial agreement between Lebanon and Syria. The case is now before Syrian judicial officials, who will decide whether it should continue to a criminal court. The move may also suggest more judicial collaboration between Beirut and Damascus, setting a precedent for other former Assad officials who fled to Lebanon when the regime crumbled.

Photo Credit: Syria’s interior ministry