Bashar Mahfoud, a former commander in the Assad regime’s 25th Division, was arrested by Syrian forces for war crimes and criminal activities. His division was implicated in severe human rights violations during the civil war. Following his arrest, local residents expressed hope for justice, while activists are demanding transparency and international investigations into the atrocities committed by his division.
Syrian security forces have arrested Bashar Mahfoud, a former commander of assault groups and head of recruitment for the Assad regime’s 25th Division, amidst allegations of war crimes and criminal activities during the Syrian civil war. His division gained a reputation for brutal conduct, including kidnapping, robbery, and serious human rights violations. Mahfoud’s arrest is part of a concerted effort to combat organized crime in Damascus.
The 25th Division has been notorious for its human rights abuses in various regions, such as Damascus, Homs, and Hama. It has been implicated in war crimes, including arbitrary executions and torture, with Mahfoud playing a significant role in training fighters for operations targeting anti-regime protests. His actions led to numerous civilian casualties, including heavy weapon assaults on civilian areas.
Following the Assad regime’s decline, Mahfoud reportedly formed a criminal gang, utilizing his military contacts to orchestrate kidnappings and armed robberies targeting affluent individuals in and around Damascus. His extensive criminal activities were monitored leading to a successful joint operation with security agencies that culminated in his arrest. Authorities confiscated weapons during the raid, further crippling his operations.
During preliminary investigations, Mahfoud confessed to his criminal activities and provided information on fellow gang members, facilitating their arrests. Local residents greeted his capture positively, hoping it signifies accountability for past war crimes. Activists are calling for a transparent judicial process and international scrutiny of the 25th Division’s war crimes, aiming for accountability for senior commanders involved in such violations.
The arrest of Bashar Mahfoud marks a significant move against organized crime and past war crimes associated with the Assad regime’s military actions. The detention highlights efforts to address human rights violations committed during the Syrian civil war. Activists and residents alike look forward to a judicial process that ensures justice while calling for further international investigations into the division’s broader war crimes.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
