Leaks Reveal Moves by Former Assad Regime Officers to Target Syria’s New Government from Lebanon
Leaked documents and audio recordings obtained by Al Jazeera have spread rapidly, revealing alleged efforts by senior officers from the former regime of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to target Syria’s new government from Lebanese territory.
According to the leaked materials, Major General Suheil al-Hassan, former commander of elite forces in the ousted regime’s army, prepared a large operations office in the Lebanese area of Al-Hayseh near the Syrian border, intended to serve as a command center for planned military operations against Damascus.
One document, handwritten by Suheil al-Hassan, indicates that around 20 former regime pilots, led by Air Force Major General Mahmoud Hasouri, are staying with their families in a hotel in Lebanon. The document states that they were transferred there by Iranian actors, with plans to later move them to Iran.
The document further notes that the pilots were effectively abandoned, with Iranian support limited to covering hotel accommodation and providing only one meal per day, prompting them to demand incorporation into Suheil al-Hassan’s forces.
These leaks triggered a wave of reactions across social media platforms, with tens of thousands of posts, comments, and tweets questioning whether the Lebanese government would hand over Assad-era pilots currently present on its territory.
In response, Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri posted on the X platform that circulating reports about movements by supporters of the former Syrian regime in Lebanon were “a cause for concern,” stressing that Lebanese security agencies must verify the information and take appropriate measures.
Mitri added that it is the responsibility of security services—and of all concerned parties—to prevent any actions that could undermine Syria’s unity or threaten its security and stability, whether from within Lebanon or originating from its territory.
However, his statement drew criticism from journalists and activists, some questioning why the issue was raised on social media rather than through direct communication with the interior minister, while others argued that such sensitive matters should be handled through formal and official channels.
Amid the debate, Syrian journalists and commentators called on the Lebanese authorities to clarify their position, while urging Syria’s new government to seek the extradition of the 20 former regime pilots, viewing such a move as essential to preserving good neighborly relations and regional security.
