Syria arrests nine former regime pilots over alleged war crimes

• Syrian authorities say they arrested nine former pilots, including three brigadier generals, over alleged involvement in airstrikes that killed and wounded civilians.
• The arrests come as Syria’s new authorities intensify efforts to hold former regime figures accountable for alleged abuses.

Syrian authorities announced Thursday the arrest of nine former pilots who served in the army of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, including three officers holding the rank of brigadier general, over suspected involvement in aerial bombardments that killed and wounded hundreds in opposition-held areas.

The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that internal security forces in Latakia province in western Syria arrested the former fighter jet and helicopter pilots following surveillance and field investigations.

The authorities accused the suspects of involvement in war crimes and causing extensive damage to cities and towns during the rule of the former regime.

SANA identified three of the detainees as Brigadier General Manhal Anwar Saleh, Brigadier General Sami Ibrahim Mahmoud and Brigadier General Ghiyath Ali al-Rahieh.

The arrests come as Syria’s new authorities, through the Transitional Justice Authority, step up efforts to investigate figures accused of abuses under the former regime.

On Monday, authorities announced the arrest of a senior officer subject to European sanctions over alleged involvement in the 1982 Hama events and the killing of protesters in 2011.

The latest arrests follow judicial measures against senior former regime figures. In August, Syrian courts reportedly issued an in absentia death sentence against Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher.

French authorities have also issued three arrest warrants for Bashar al-Assad over allegations involving crimes against humanity and the use of chemical weapons.