Russia oversees new structure of Syrian intelligence apparatus
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Russian security officials are working to establish a new mechanism for the operation of the Syrian Intelligence apparatuses, an exclusive source in the Syrian government forces said on Wednesday.
The source told North Press that this was discussed during a security meeting held on Dec.3 at the Syrian General Staff Headquarters in Damascus.
The meeting was held at approximately 02:00 pm, and was attended by Major General Kifah Milhem, head of the Military Intelligence Directorate , Major General Hussam Louqa, head of the General Intelligence Directorate, and Russian security officials.
The Russians are appointing new officers, affiliated with Russian forces, in the military and security intelligence apparatus. These officers will undergo intelligence and security training under Russian supervision, starting with branches 291, 293, and 237, which are security and intelligence branches affiliated with the General Intelligence Directorate, according to the source.
Furthermore, Russian officials informed the Syrian command to restructure the Syrian army, and hand over command of security issues to Russian officers.
Following the meeting the officers traveled to Moscow to hold a subsequent security meeting with officials there, the source concluded.
Russia is coordinating with Syrian officers to settle the security status of militants in Liwa al-Quds and Baqir Brigade and other Iranian-backed militias. The settlements initiated in the headquarters of the Liwa al-Shamal (Northern Brigade), a militia affiliated with the government forces in Aleppo, northwestern Syria.
The militia, which is led by Abu Ali Reslan from the town of Maskanah in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, is directly under the command of the Military Intelligence of the government forces.