Syrian security forces kill former Division 25 commander in Tartus

Syrian security forces announced the death of Firas Abdul Karim Hammoud, known by the nickname ‘Al-Khal’, during an armed clash in the city of Safita in the Tartus countryside. Hammoud was a former commander of the special forces within the so-called ‘Division 25’ during the Bashar al-Assad era.

The operation was conducted by the Internal Security Command and the Counter-Terrorism Department following the tracking of Hammoud’s movements. Authorities stated that Hammoud opened fire on security personnel during the raid, necessitating a response that resulted in his neutralization. This follows a previous incident three days prior where he reportedly fired upon security elements during an attempted arrest.

The Ministry of Interior accused Hammoud of involvement in armed rebellions targeting government and security headquarters, which resulted in casualties among the army and security forces. He was also allegedly involved in negotiating the release of detainees and attempting to form armed groups to target government facilities and civilians. This operation is part of an ongoing security campaign against armed groups linked to the former regime in the Syrian coastal region.