Syrian authorities have arrested a former military commander over his alleged role in the 2011 Saida Housing massacre. Brig. Gen. Jaber Mehrez Ibrahim, a former commander of the 138th Air Defense Brigade, was detained by internal security forces following a surveillance operation. The arrest comes as part of ongoing investigations into past human rights violations during the Assad regime.
Ibrahim was in charge of the brigade in the town of Saida, located in eastern Daraa province, during the time of the Assad government. According to Syrian state media, records and preliminary inquiries suggest he issued orders to kill and arrest protesters. The operation targeting him was described as precise and well-planned.
The arrest marks a rare public action by Syrian authorities against a former military official linked to the early stages of the conflict. No formal charges have been announced, but the move is seen as part of a broader effort to address past abuses. The case highlights the ongoing legal and political tensions in the region.
The Saida massacre, which occurred in 2011, is one of the earliest documented incidents of state violence during the uprising. The arrest of Ibrahim has drawn attention from international human rights organizations, though no official statements have been made yet.
