Syria Arrests Assad-Era General Over Alleged Involvement in Chemical Attack
Authorities accuse former general of involvement in deadly 2013 chemical attack on Damascus suburb.
DAMASCUS: Syria's interior ministry announced the arrest of a general from ousted president Bashar al-Assad's regime, accusing him of involvement in a 2013 chemical attack on a suburb of the capital, Damascus.
The arrest comes amid efforts by the new authorities to hold the previous administration accountable for alleged atrocities committed during the country's civil war.
In August 2013, the Syrian army under Assad's rule was accused of using chemical weapons against rebel-held areas in Damascus, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 civilians, according to US intelligence and human rights groups.
The incident sparked global condemnation and led to Syria agreeing to relinquish its chemical arsenal to avoid US military strikes.
Assad remained in power for more than a decade until his ousting by Islamist-led rebels in 2024, who are now led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The interior ministry accused Khardal Ahmed Dayoub, a former brigadier general and ex-head of the Air Force Intelligence branch in Daraa, of direct involvement in chemical attacks during his tenure.
Dayoub is also suspected of extrajudicial killings and coordination with Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, who supported the ousted government.
Survivors and medics documented the attack through videos and interviews, showcasing the devastating impact on civilians, including children.
The scenes prompted international outrage and led to a UN report confirming the use of sarin gas in the attack.
Syria subsequently joined the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and disclosed its toxic stockpile under pressure from Russia and the US.
The new Syrian authorities have arrested several former Assad-era officials in recent months, vowing to ensure justice for past atrocities committed during the civil war, which began in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on dissent.
Over half a million people were killed, and millions more were displaced as a result of the conflict.
Last month, Syria conducted its first hearing in an in absentia trial against Assad and several senior members of his government, who have since sought refuge in Moscow.
The arrest comes amid efforts by the new authorities to hold the previous administration accountable for alleged atrocities committed during the country's civil war.
In August 2013, the Syrian army under Assad's rule was accused of using chemical weapons against rebel-held areas in Damascus, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 civilians, according to US intelligence and human rights groups.
The incident sparked global condemnation and led to Syria agreeing to relinquish its chemical arsenal to avoid US military strikes.
Assad remained in power for more than a decade until his ousting by Islamist-led rebels in 2024, who are now led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The interior ministry accused Khardal Ahmed Dayoub, a former brigadier general and ex-head of the Air Force Intelligence branch in Daraa, of direct involvement in chemical attacks during his tenure.
Dayoub is also suspected of extrajudicial killings and coordination with Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, who supported the ousted government.
Survivors and medics documented the attack through videos and interviews, showcasing the devastating impact on civilians, including children.
The scenes prompted international outrage and led to a UN report confirming the use of sarin gas in the attack.
Syria subsequently joined the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and disclosed its toxic stockpile under pressure from Russia and the US.
The new Syrian authorities have arrested several former Assad-era officials in recent months, vowing to ensure justice for past atrocities committed during the civil war, which began in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on dissent.
Over half a million people were killed, and millions more were displaced as a result of the conflict.
Last month, Syria conducted its first hearing in an in absentia trial against Assad and several senior members of his government, who have since sought refuge in Moscow.
