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DAMASCUS: Syrian authorities on Saturday said they arrested a general who served under the rule of ousted president Bashar al-Assad, saying he led operations against formerly rebel-held areas during the country\u2019s 13-year civil war.<\/strong><\/p>\n In a statement, security forces announced, \u201cthe arrest of former Major General Ahmed Mohammad Ismail, a high-ranking commander in the Republican Guard of the former regime\u2019s army\u201d.<\/p>\n Military records indicate that \u201che began his service as a platoon commander, then served as a company commander in the 2nd Battalion of the 101st Airborne Regiment. He was subsequently promoted, at the beginning of 2016, to Chief of Operations of the same regiment, and directly participated in commanding military assaults on the cities of Aleppo and Daraa, as well as on Eastern Ghouta.\u201d<\/p>\n Located near Damascus, Eastern Ghouta was a rebel stronghold during the civil war until 2018, and the site of a major chemical attack five years prior.<\/p>\n US intelligence says more than 1,000 people were killed with sarin nerve gas in the suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus, in 2013 during Syria\u2019s civil war.<\/p>\n The attack was attributed to the Syrian government under the rule of Bashar al-Assad, who was toppled in late 2024.<\/p>\n The government at the time denied involvement and blamed rebels.<\/p>\n Since Assad was overthrown in December 2024, Syria\u2019s new Islamist authorities have arrested dozens of former security officials, while trials began in April.<\/p>\n Earlier this month Syrian authorities said they had arrested nine former pilots including three generals accused of taking part in lethal bombings of towns and villages under Assad\u2019s rule.<\/p>\n Syria sentenced Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and five other security officials to death in absentia in August for atrocities committed during the civil war.<\/p>\n The former president fled Syria as his government fell and is believed to be living in Russia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n