Damascus, Sep. 3 (SANA) Internal Security Forces in Rural Damascus said on Thursday it had thwarted an escape attempt by Alaa Zahr al-Din, a former leader of the “Homeland Shield Brigade” militia and one of Ghiyath Dalla’s key associates.
The ISF said in a statement that Zahr al-Din was wanted over his involvement in crimes against civilians , and the operation came following a security operation based on prolonged surveillance, tracking and pursuit.
The operation enabled security forces to track his movements and identify him when he was stopped at a security checkpoint.
After his identity was uncovered, Zahr al-Din drew his weapon and fatally shot himself to avoid arrest, according to the ISF. Security forces arrested the person who was accompanying him in the vehicle.
It followed an operation several days earlier in Tartous in which security forces neutralized Firas Abdul Karim Hammoud, known as “Fajr 3” and had served as Ghiyath Dalla’s deputy in commanding armed groups operating in Syria’s coastal region.
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