Syrian authorities announce arrest of nine pilots on charges of war crimes during the ousted regime
Syrian authorities announced the arrest of nine former pilots, including three brigadier generals, on charges of participating in bloody bombing operations targeting Syrian cities and towns during the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Internal Security forces in Latakia arrested the nine former fighter and helicopter pilots following surveillance and monitoring, accusing them of “committing war crimes against the Syrian people in several governorates.”
Among those detained are Brigadier General Manhal Anwar Saleh, Brigadier General Sami Ibrahim Mahmoud, and Brigadier General Ghiyath Ali Al-Rahia, according to the agency.
SANA added that the detainees “participated in committing numerous crimes and violations that resulted in a large number of casualties, both killed and injured, and caused serious damage to cities and towns.”
Citing a source in the Ministry of Interior, SANA reported that initial interrogations with the nine pilots “revealed that they logged more than 3,200 flight hours and sorties since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, and carried out airstrikes targeting various areas.”
The source stated that the pilots used various types of warplanes, most notably Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters, and fighter jets including the Su-22, MiG-29, and MiG-21. They conducted aerial strikes targeting numerous areas, particularly Eastern Ghouta, the city of Aleppo and its countryside, Deir ez-Zor and its countryside, and the countryside of Hama.
He clarified that “the tasks assigned to the pilots were diverse, including carrying out sorties and combat missions, bombing rebel positions and civilian gatherings, as well as strategic and vital facilities. They also performed close air support, reconnaissance, and target designation missions.”
The source noted that their duties also included arming helicopters and jets with various types of explosive munitions, conducting technical inspections and necessary operational preparations before takeoff, identifying locations and coordinates, preparing target data, providing it to pilots, and guiding them during mission execution.
Among the detainees are also Colonels Issa Khadour, Marwan Nafesh, and Bashar Wanous; Lieutenant Colonel Ayham Aliya; and Captains Ayham Dawood and Ameer Janidi.
