Aleppo, Dec. 01 (SANA) The Internal Security Forces in Aleppo announced Monday, the arrest of Sami Oubari, the former leader of the National Defense Militia in the city, following an intelligence-driven operation carried out in coordination with the General Intelligence Directorate.
Colonel Mohammad Abdel Ghani, Head of Internal Security in Aleppo, said that “intelligence-based operations led to Oubari’s capture in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate,” adding that investigations point to his involvement in early-stage civilian abuses and violations committed during the conflict.
He said in his statement that Oubari was implicated in “suppressing early peaceful protests, helping establish and lead the National Defense Militia from 2012 to 2017, and overseeing various violations, including arbitrary checkpoints, detentions, and the looting of displaced residents’ properties in 2016.”
According to Colonel Abdel Ghani, Oubari was later appointed head of public relations within the militia in late 2017 before fleeing to Lebanon after the liberation of Aleppo. “He was arrested after reentering the country clandestinely following close monitoring and tracking of his movements,” the colonel said.
Colonel Abdel Ghani added that Oubari “has been referred to the competent judiciary,” noting that the arrest is part of continuous efforts by Internal Security and the General Intelligence Directorate to pursue individuals responsible for wartime violations.
He stated that these efforts aim to advance accountability and transitional justice, reaffirming the Internal Security Forces’ commitment to “pursuing those involved in war crimes and holding them accountable before the competent judiciary, in a manner that strengthens societal trust and reinforces stability and fairness.”
Authorities emphasized that the operation reflects an ongoing policy to prevent impunity for serious violations committed during the years of conflict, particularly those targeting civilians.
