Syria arrests five Assad-era air force officers over strikes on civilians

Syrian security forces have apprehended five former air force officers, accused of orchestrating strikes that caused civilian casualties and destroyed residential areas during the Assad regime's rule. The arrests took place in the coastal province of Tartus, according to Syrian state media. The detained officers, including Maj Gen Mohammad Fajr Ali, Brig Gen Abdullah Ali Mualla, Col Nidal Hussein Saleh, Col Mohammad Ali Salim, and Lt Col Talib Abdul Karim Hassan, are all former senior figures in the air force.

Abdul Aal Mohammad Abdul Aal, head of the province's internal security, confirmed that the officers were charged with "planning, management, and execution of air strikes targeting populated areas, causing destruction of residential zones, infrastructure, forced displacement of residents, and substantial human casualties." The former regime has been under scrutiny by international human rights organizations for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, including the use of chemical weapons, torture, and enforced disappearances.

President Assad and other high-ranking officials have been sentenced to death in Syria. Recently, the new authorities have intensified efforts to eliminate remnants of the former regime, which are largely based in Russia. Earlier, nine former pilots, including three generals, were arrested on suspicion of participating in the regime's bombing campaign under Assad's leadership.