Bashar Mahfoud, former commander of the Assad regime’s 25th Division, was arrested in Damascus for war crimes, including torture and kidnappings. His division transitioned into criminal activities after the regime’s decline. His arrest followed a thorough intelligence operation, leading to wider implications for accountability concerning atrocities committed during the Syrian civil war.
Syrian security forces in Damascus have apprehended Bashar Mahfoud, formerly the commander of assault groups and recruitment head for the Assad regime’s 25th Division, who faces accusations of war crimes committed during the Syrian civil war. Following the regime’s decline, the 25th Division, under Suhail Al-Hussain, evolved into a gang reportedly engaged in kidnapping and robbery. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to tackle organized crime and restore order in the Syrian capital.
Bashar Mahfoud’s tenure as the Commander of Assault Groups was marked by a notorious reputation due to his involvement in various military operations characterized by significant human rights abuses, including indiscriminate killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions. He was instrumental in recruiting and training fighters for rapid assaults on protest-heavy regions against the regime.
The 25th Division has been linked with war crimes across multiple areas, including the Damascus countryside, Homs, and Hama, where incidents of executions and destruction of property have been well documented. Mahfoud’s notorious actions included the indiscriminate shelling of civilian districts, resulting in multiple casualties, particularly among women and children.
International and local human rights organizations hold Mahfoud accountable for torturing detainees at a facility operated by the 25th Division, with allegations of deaths occurring due to torture. Following the regime’s collapse, he reportedly transitioned into criminal activities, forming a gang responsible for numerous kidnappings and armed robberies targeting affluent individuals in Damascus and surrounding regions.
A security source revealed that authorities located Mahfoud’s hiding place through an extensive intelligence operation. His criminal activity was tracked over several months, leading to a coordinated raid that resulted in his arrest alongside the confiscation of weapons and equipment. Upon interrogation, Mahfoud admitted to his roles in kidnappings and robberies, also providing insights into his criminal enterprise and associates, which facilitated the arrest of further gang members and subsequent dismantling of the group.
Residents expressed their gratitude upon Mahfoud’s arrest, viewing it as a pivotal moment in efforts to hold accountable those implicated in war crimes. Activists urged that Mahfoud be tried in a judicial setting, stressing the need for transparency in investigations and the importance of allowing victims to testify. There is also a demand for an international inquiry into the war crimes associated with the 25th Division and its commanders, including Suhail Al-Hassan.
Bashar Mahfoud’s arrest highlights the ongoing struggle against organized crime in Syria and the pressing need for accountability concerning war crimes. His actions during the civil conflict exemplify severe human rights violations committed by the 25th Division. The response from local residents indicates a community eager for justice, while calls for judicial processes and international investigations signify a broader demand for addressing past atrocities in the region.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
