Air Force Intelligence Directorate
Encyclopedia
The Air Force Intelligence is an intelligence service of Syria
. Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-Jawiyya is possibly Syria's most powerful intelligence service, owing its importance to Hafez al-Assad
's role as the Air Force
commander.
Despite its name, it is mainly involved with issues other than air force intelligence, and has taken an active part in the suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood
rebellion. Agents of this service have frequently been stationed in Syrian embassies or branch offices of the national airline.
The service was headed for nearly thirty years Maj. Gen. Muhammad al-Khouli, who was trusted by Hafez al-Assad and had an office adjacent to the president's in the presidential palace.
In 1995, it was headed by Ibrahim Huwayji. As of 2011 it is headed by Jamil Hasan, a member of the Alawite
sect. Gen Hassan, an Alawite, previously served as a security official in the eastern governorate of Deir al-Zour. In late April 2011, personnel from Air Force Intelligence fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds of demonstrators who took to the streets in Damascus and other cities after noon prayers, killing at least 43 people, according to the US. The next month, the EU said Gen Hassan was "involved in the repression against the civilian population" during the recent anti-government unrest, and imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on him. He is a part of Bashar al-Assad's inner circle.
The Service has also taken part in the efforts to put down the 2011 protests
against Bashar al-Assad
's regime. It is known to have been active in the town of Talkalakh
near the Lebanese border.
Ibrahim Huwayji (1987 - 2002)
Iz a-Din Isma'il (2002 - )
Abdulfattah Qudsiya ( - 2009)
Jamil Hassan (2009 - present)
Political Security Directorate
Military Intelligence
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-Jawiyya is possibly Syria's most powerful intelligence service, owing its importance to Hafez al-Assad
Hafez al-Assad
Hafez ibn 'Ali ibn Sulayman al-Assad or more commonly Hafez al-Assad was the President of Syria for three decades. Assad's rule consolidated the power of the central government after decades of coups and counter-coups, such as Operation Wappen in 1957 conducted by the Eisenhower administration and...
's role as the Air Force
Syrian Air Force
The Syrian Air Force is the Aviation branch of the Syrian Armed Forces. It was established in 1948.-History:The end of World War II led to a withdrawal of the United Kingdom and France from the Middle East, and this included a withdrawal from Syria...
commander.
Despite its name, it is mainly involved with issues other than air force intelligence, and has taken an active part in the suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood
Muslim Brotherhood
The Society of the Muslim Brothers is the world's oldest and one of the largest Islamist parties, and is the largest political opposition organization in many Arab states. It was founded in 1928 in Egypt by the Islamic scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna and by the late 1940s had an...
rebellion. Agents of this service have frequently been stationed in Syrian embassies or branch offices of the national airline.
The service was headed for nearly thirty years Maj. Gen. Muhammad al-Khouli, who was trusted by Hafez al-Assad and had an office adjacent to the president's in the presidential palace.
In 1995, it was headed by Ibrahim Huwayji. As of 2011 it is headed by Jamil Hasan, a member of the Alawite
Alawite
The Alawis, also known as Alawites, Nusayris and Ansaris are a prominent mystical and syncretic religious group centred in Syria who are a branch of Shia Islam.-Etymology:...
sect. Gen Hassan, an Alawite, previously served as a security official in the eastern governorate of Deir al-Zour. In late April 2011, personnel from Air Force Intelligence fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds of demonstrators who took to the streets in Damascus and other cities after noon prayers, killing at least 43 people, according to the US. The next month, the EU said Gen Hassan was "involved in the repression against the civilian population" during the recent anti-government unrest, and imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on him. He is a part of Bashar al-Assad's inner circle.
The Service has also taken part in the efforts to put down the 2011 protests
2011 Syrian uprising
The 2011 Syrian uprising is an ongoing internal conflict occurring in Syria. Protests started on 26 January 2011, and escalated into an uprising by 15 March 2011...
against Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba'ath Party. His father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 29 years until his death in 2000. Al-Assad was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2007, unopposed each time.- Early Life :...
's regime. It is known to have been active in the town of Talkalakh
Talkalakh
Talkalakh is a Syrian city . It has a population of 31,479, most of them are Turkmen. Talkalakh is the principal urban centre of Talkalakh District in Homs Governorate. It is also known as Tall Kalakh....
near the Lebanese border.
Heads of Air Force Intelligence Directorate
Muhammad al-Khouli (1963 - 1987)Ibrahim Huwayji (1987 - 2002)
Iz a-Din Isma'il (2002 - )
Abdulfattah Qudsiya ( - 2009)
Jamil Hassan (2009 - present)
Other Syrian intelligence agencies
General Security DirectorateGeneral Security Directorate (Syria)
The General Security Directorate is the most important civil intelligence service of Syria.- Organization :Its divisions are:*Division of Homeland Security*Division of External Security*Division of Palestinian Affairs...
Political Security Directorate
Political Security Directorate
Political Security Directorate is an intelligence service of Syria. It is active against the opposition. It runsdetention centres . It is divided into an Internal Security Department and an External Security Department. It monitors political dissent and registered parties are surveilled, too....
Military Intelligence