Syrian Regime Officers Accused of Involvement in Coastal Syria Events

The Syrian coast, particularly Latakia and Tartus, has witnessed unprecedented security escalation in recent days, marked by military operations, widespread sweeps, and violent clashes. Reports indicate that 340 Alawite civilians have been killed by Syrian security forces amid these events. In this volatile context, Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s transitional administration, has called on Alawite fighters to surrender their weapons, warning of severe consequences if the situation escalates further. Amid these developments, several former Syrian regime officers have been accused of fueling the unrest by leading remnant groups ("fouloul") of the Assad regime. Below are the key figures implicated:

1. Suheil al-Hassan ("The Tiger")

• Background: Born in 1970 in Jableh, a coastal Syrian city, Suheil al-Hassan is an Alawite who graduated from the Homs Air Force Academy in 1991. He began his career in the Syrian Air Force before joining its intelligence branch.
• Role in Assad Regime: Known as "The Tiger," al-Hassan rose to prominence in 2011, training special operations units and leading military campaigns across Syria, including in Latakia. He is notorious for ordering the use of explosive barrel bombs—crude weapons packed with nails, metal shards, and explosives—dropped from helicopters onto civilian areas, causing thousands of deaths and widespread destruction.
• Accusations in Coastal Events: Posts on X and local media have named al-Hassan as a potential instigator of unrest in the coastal region, leveraging his ties to the Alawite community and his history of commanding elite units like the "Tiger Forces." His current whereabouts are unclear, but his legacy of brutal tactics makes him a focal point of suspicion.

2. Miqdad Fatiha ("Commander of the Coastal Shield")

• Background: A former officer in Bashar al-Assad’s army, Miqdad Fatiha emerged as a vocal figure after the regime’s collapse.
• Role in Coastal Events: In February 2025, Fatiha announced the formation of the "Coastal Shield Brigade," claiming control over 90% of the Syrian coast. He has been active on social media, releasing videos urging Alawites to retain their weapons and join his fight against the transitional government. Syria TV reports have highlighted his leadership of this militia as a direct challenge to state authority.
• Accusations: Fatiha is accused of stoking sectarian tensions and organizing armed resistance in the coastal region, exploiting Alawite fears of retribution under the new administration.

3. Ghaith Dalla (Ghiyath Dalla)

• Background: Ghaith Dalla, an Alawite from Latakia’s Jableh area, was a senior officer in the Fourth Division under Maher al-Assad, Bashar’s brother. He previously commanded the 42nd Brigade and later led the "Ghaith Forces," a unit modeled after al-Hassan’s Tiger Forces.
• Role in Assad Regime: Known for his close alignment with Iran and Hezbollah, Dalla coordinated operations with Iranian militias in battles around Damascus, Zabadani, and the Ghouta region. Local reports, including from "With Justice," note his integration of Iranian and Hezbollah fighters into his units, often disguising them in Syrian military uniforms. He was implicated in massacres in Daraya, Muadamiyat al-Sham, and Qaboun after the 2011 uprising.
• Accusations in Coastal Events: Dalla has resurfaced as a key figure leading armed groups under the "Military Council for the Liberation of Syria." Al-Jazeera, citing security sources, reported on March 6, 2025, that Dalla, backed by Hezbollah and Iraqi militias, is orchestrating operations in rural Latakia, making him a central figure in the current unrest.

4. Ibrahim Houeija (Ibrahim Hawija)

• Background: A veteran officer, Ibrahim Houeija headed the Air Force Intelligence Directorate from 1987 until the regime’s fall. Born into an Alawite family, he was a trusted operative under Hafez al-Assad and later Bashar.
• Role in Assad Regime: Houeija is infamous for overseeing political assassinations and repressive operations. Local media link him to the 1977 assassination of Lebanese Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt in Beirut, alongside his role in crushing dissent during Syria’s civil war. His daughter, Kinana Houeija, earned the nickname "millionaire negotiator" for brokering forced displacement deals in 2017.
• Accusations in Coastal Events: On March 6, 2025, Syria’s transitional authorities announced his arrest in Latakia during a security campaign targeting regime loyalists. He is accused of coordinating with remnant cells prior to his capture, contributing to the coastal violence, according to Al-Jazeera and local reports.

Context and Broader Implications

The accusations against these officers—Suheil al-Hassan, Miqdad Fatiha, Ghaith Dalla, and Ibrahim Houeija—stem from their historical roles in the Assad regime’s repressive apparatus and their alleged efforts to destabilize the Syrian coast post-regime. The region, an Alawite stronghold, has become a battleground for loyalist remnants exploiting sectarian grievances, as noted in posts on X and analyses from outlets like the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Al-Jazeera’s March 6 report suggests these figures may be receiving external support, with Bashar al-Assad, now reportedly in Russia, aware of their coordination—a claim yet to be independently verified.

While these officers are prominently named, the situation remains fluid, with information often speculative or sourced from unconfirmed social media posts. The transitional government’s response, including arrests and calls for surrender, aims to curb the violence, but the deep ties of these figures to the Alawite community and foreign backers like Iran complicate efforts to restore stability.