Tartous, Sept. 07 (SANA) The Internal Security Forces in Tartous province, in cooperation with the Anti-Terrorism Directorate, arrested former Major General Mohammad Ali Dirgham, a prominent military officer under the deposed regime, following a tracking operation.
In a statement on Monday, the Internal Security Forces said that Dirgham held several senior posts, including platoon commander in the Defense Companies during the 1982 Hama events, field commander of the 4th Division between 2009 and 2013, deputy commander of the 5th Division, and commander of the 2nd Corps until late 2018.
Initial investigations and documentation records indicated his involvement in issuing direct orders to open fire on unarmed protesters in Damascus Countryside, as well as supervising raids that led to widespread arbitrary arrests. The Internal Security Forces said these actions had previously led to his inclusion on international sanctions lists.
The Security Forces said investigations are ongoing to complete the documentation of the reported incidents before referring him to the competent judiciary for legal action.
Days earlier, the Internal Security Directorate in Latakia, in cooperation with the Anti-Terrorism Directorate, arrested former Major General Jalal Kamel Saqr, commander of the 18th Infantry Brigade under the deposed regime, over involvement in war crimes and arbitrary detentions.
The operation comes as part of the Ministry of Interior’s ongoing efforts to pursue individuals accused of involvement in crimes and violations against Syrians and refer them to the competent judiciary for legal action.
M.Q.R/R
