Lebanon hands over Assad-era general to Syria in first case of its kind

Lebanon has transferred an Assad-era military general to Syria to face trial, marking the first instance of its kind since the fall of the Assad regime in 2024. Maj Gen Adel Issa, 67, was extradited to Damascus after being detained in Beirut earlier this month. Issa once commanded Syria’s 17th Division before being reassigned to lead ground forces in Deir Ezzor until his retirement the following year.

He was apprehended near the Syrian embassy in Lebanon while addressing paperwork matters, leading to his arrest. Following an order from Lebanese prosecutor Ahmed Rami Al Hajj, Issa was handed over to Syrian authorities based on a 1951 judicial agreement between the two nations. The extradition pertains to charges of murder, torture, and inciting civil war and sectarian conflict.

The case is now under review by a Damascus judge before proceeding to a criminal court. Former rebel commander Ahmad Al Shara recently seized control of Syria following the regime's collapse, but top Assad family officials remain at large, primarily residing in Russia.