Arrest of Top Intelligence Officer Linked to 1977 Murder of Lebanese Leader

Ibrahim Huweija, a former head of Air Force Intelligence, was arrested in Syria for his suspected role in numerous assassinations, including that of Lebanese politician Kamal Jumblatt in 1977. The arrest occurred during clashes in the Latakia province, marking a noteworthy development in historical assassination cases. Walid Jumblatt, Kamal’s son, shared the news on social media, emphasizing its significance.

Syrian security forces have apprehended Ibrahim Huweija, a former head of Air Force Intelligence, who is a major suspect in various killings, including the 1977 murder of Lebanese leader Kamal Jumblatt. This arrest was reported by the state news agency on Thursday, indicating that Huweija had been seized during clashes with supporters of deposed ruler Bashar al-Assad in the Latakia province. This incident represents one of the fiercest confrontations in the area since Assad’s removal from power.

According to a security source cited by the SANA agency, “After thorough monitoring and investigation, our forces in the city of Jableh managed to arrest the criminal General Ibrahim Huweija, the former head of Air Force Intelligence in Syria.” Huweija led this intelligence division from 1987 until 2002, under both Hafez al-Assad and his son Bashar al-Assad, and has kept a low public profile with limited information about his activities available.

The source further stated that Huweija is accused of orchestrating hundreds of assassinations during Hafez al-Assad’s regime, including the targeted killing of Kamal Jumblatt. Jumblatt, associated with the Druze community and founder of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party, opposed Syrian military intervention in Lebanon throughout its civil war. He was assassinated near a Syrian border post on March 16, 1977. Following Huweija’s arrest, his son Walid Jumblatt expressed his sentiments on social media by stating, “Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest).”

The ramifications of this arrest may extend beyond justice for historical grievances, potentially impacting current political dynamics in Syria and Lebanon, as well as revealing further insights into the operations of the Assad regime and its legacy of violence.

The arrest of Ibrahim Huweija marks a significant development in the investigation of historical political assassinations, particularly that of Lebanese leader Kamal Jumblatt. Huweija’s past involvement in intelligence under both Hafez and Bashar al-Assad raises questions about accountability and justice for victims of the Syrian regime. The reactions from the Jumblatt family and the circumstances surrounding the arrest could indicate shifting political landscapes in the region as the aftermath of conflict continues to unfold.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com