Western Syria’s Tartus Security Arrests Former Regime Commander Linked to Past Violations
By Kardo Roj
TARTUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian authorities announced Tuesday the arrest of a former senior military commander from the previous Syrian regime, accused of involvement in serious violations and linked to recent unrest in southern Syria.
In a statement published via Telegram, the General Security Directorate in Tartus confirmed the detention of Colonel Salem Iskandar Tarraf, a former officer in the Republican Guard with a history of commanding units in Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor.
Tarraf was apprehended following what the agency described as a “targeted surveillance and intelligence operation,” culminating in his arrest in Tartus earlier this week.
According to the official statement, Tarraf held several leadership roles during the earlier years of the Syrian conflict, including commander of the elite 123rd Regiment of the Republican Guard. His name has been associated with grave human rights abuses during operations in both Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor—areas that witnessed some of the conflict’s most brutal sieges and crackdowns.
The Tartus Security Directorate claimed that Tarraf maintained “direct and close ties” with elements of Lebanon’s Hezbollah during his tenure in southern Syria. While heading the State Security branch in the town of al-Sanamayn in Daraa governorate, he reportedly facilitated the movement of Hezbollah-affiliated personnel into the region.
These activities allegedly contributed to destabilizing local dynamics and deepening distrust between civilians and state institutions at the time.
Beyond his past affiliations, Tarraf has also been implicated in more recent security incidents. Authorities allege that he organized and oversaw a cell composed of remnants of the former regime’s security apparatus, which is suspected of participating in a deadly attack in March 2025.
He has now been referred to the Public Prosecutor and is expected to face judicial proceedings in accordance with Syrian law.
The statement emphasized that further investigations are ongoing and may involve additional suspects linked to the same network.
The arrest of a high-ranking figure from Syria’s previous security establishment comes at a time of evolving political and military dynamics within the country.
Although the central government in Damascus retains administrative control over core western regions, including Tartus, recent years have seen growing scrutiny and internal reassessments of former regime practices—particularly in areas marked by reconciliation efforts or shifting alliances.
Observers note that this move could reflect an attempt by the current authorities to distance themselves from controversial elements of the past, while consolidating control through legal and security channels.
While official narratives frame the arrest as part of an ongoing fight against criminal networks, analysts suggest it may also be tied to broader efforts to reassert state legitimacy, especially in regions like Daraa and Suwayda where local actors have increasingly challenged centralized authority.
Although Syria lacks a formal transitional justice framework, the prosecution of individuals linked to historic violations—particularly those once protected by their positions—could signal the beginning of a slow shift toward accountability.
Civil society actors and independent observers stress the importance of transparent legal processes and inclusive justice mechanisms to avoid selective prosecutions that serve political ends.
For now, the arrest of Colonel Salem Iskandar Tarraf marks a rare development in a conflict where impunity has long been the norm. Its outcomes, and how they are perceived both locally and internationally, may influence future approaches to justice and reconciliation across Syria’s fractured landscape.