Ibrahim Huweija, a former head of air force intelligence, was arrested in Syria for his role in the 1977 murder of Lebanese leader Kamal Jumblatt. The arrest occurred amid clashes in Latakia province, intensifying political tensions. Huweija is implicated in multiple assassinations during the Assad regime, and his capture may mark a step towards addressing past injustices.
Syrian security forces have apprehended Ibrahim Huweija, a former head of air force intelligence and a primary suspect in the 1977 assassination of Lebanese opposition leader Kamal Jumblatt. This significant arrest came during clashes with supporters of the deposed ruler Bashar al-Assad in the coastal province of Latakia, marking one of the heaviest confrontations since his ousting in December.
According to the state news agency SANA, security sources reported that after vigilant monitoring and investigation, General Ibrahim Huweija was captured in the city of Jableh. Huweija, who led air force intelligence from 1987 to 2002 and had close ties with the Assad family, is rarely seen in public and has limited available information regarding his activities.
He faces allegations of orchestrating numerous assassinations during Hafez al-Assad’s regime, including the murder of Kamal Jumblatt, a prominent figure who spearheaded the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party and opposed Syrian military intervention in Lebanon during its civil conflict. Jumblatt was killed near a Syrian border post on March 16, 1977. His son, Walid Jumblatt, acknowledged Huweija’s arrest with the phrase: “Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest).”
This arrest potentially represents a pivotal moment in addressing historical impunity associated with the Assad regime and its officials involved in political assassinations.
The recent arrest of Ibrahim Huweija, a key suspect in the 1977 murder of Kamal Jumblatt, highlights ongoing efforts by Syrian authorities to confront the legacy of past political violence. Huweija’s capture may signal a shift in accountability regarding past abuses committed under the Assad regime, reflecting a turbulent political landscape in Syria. The acknowledgment of this arrest by Walid Jumblatt underscores its significance for the victims of historical injustices in the region.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
