Key Suspect Arrested in 1977 Murder of Lebanese Politician Kamal Jumblatt

Ibrahim Huweija, a former Syrian intelligence chief linked to numerous killings, was arrested for the 1977 assassination of Lebanese politician Kamal Jumblatt during recent violence in Latakia. Huweija led air force intelligence under both Hafez and Bashar al-Assad and is suspected in many political murders. Kamal Jumblatt was a significant opposition figure against Syrian military interventions in Lebanon.

Syrian security forces have apprehended Ibrahim Huweija, a former high-ranking intelligence officer linked to multiple assassinations, including that of Lebanese opposition figure Kamal Jumblatt in 1977. His arrest, reported by the state news agency SANA, occurred during violent clashes in Latakia, marking a significant confrontation between security forces and supporters of the ousted Bashar al-Assad.

Huweija served as the head of air force intelligence from 1987 to 2002, initially appointed under Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father. He has maintained a low profile, with limited information available about his activities. According to a security source, Huweija is implicated in numerous assassinations throughout Hafez al-Assad’s regime, including the planned murder of Jumblatt.

Kamal Jumblatt, a prominent leader among the Druze community and founder of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party, opposed Hafez al-Assad’s military involvement in Lebanon during the civil war. He was assassinated near a Syrian border post on March 16, 1977. Walid Jumblatt, his son and successor, commented on Huweija’s arrest on social media, expressing his sentiments with a phrase meaning ‘God is Greatest.’

The arrest of Ibrahim Huweija represents a significant development in the investigation of historical political assassinations, particularly the murder of Kamal Jumblatt, a key figure in Lebanese politics. This action reflects ongoing tensions in Syria and the lingering consequences of past regimes. Jumblatt’s legacy continues to resonate, as demonstrated by the reaction of his son following the announcement of Huweija’s capture.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com