# General Intelligence Directorate (Syria)

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Former Syrian intelligence service

General Intelligence Directorate إدارة المخابرات العامة Idārat al-Mukhābarāt al-ʿAmmāh Agency overview Formed 1963; 63 years ago (1963) (ISFC 1963–1971) (GID 1971–2024) Dissolved 8 December 2024 (de facto) 29 January 2025 (de jure)[1] Superseding agency General Intelligence Service Jurisdiction Ba'athist Syria Headquarters Kafr Sousa, Damascus, Syria 33°31′13″N 36°18′42″E / 33.52028°N 36.31167°E / 33.52028; 36.31167 Agency executives Hossam Louka (2019–2024), Director[2] Akram Ali Muhammad (2019–2021), Deputy Director Parent agency Ministry of Interior

The **General Intelligence Directorate** ([Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): إِدَارَةُ الْمُخَابَرَاتِ الْعَامَّةِ, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Arabic): *ʾIdārat al-Mukhābarāt al-ʿAmmāh*), also known as the ***General Security Directorate*** or ***Syrian GID***, was the most important civil [intelligence service](/source/Intelligence_agency) of former [Ba'athist Syria](/source/Ba'athist_Syria) and played an important role of suppressing the people of Syria for the government's interests.[3] The General Intelligence Directorate conducted an oppressive surveillance of the Syrian population, directed foreign intelligence and monitored activities in [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon) on behalf of [Hezbollah](/source/Hezbollah) until its dissolution in December 2024.

## History

In November 1970, [Hafez al-Assad](/source/Hafez_al-Assad) ousted [Salah Jadid](/source/Salah_Jadid) in what he labelled a [Corrective Movement](/source/Corrective_Movement_(Syria)). The new system was Syria's longest-lasting since independence and toned down the previous regime's radicalism.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] It was established in 1971. By 1972, the General Intelligence Directorate was significantly modelled on the [GDR](/source/GDR)'s [Stasi](/source/Stasi).[4] Under the government of [Hafez al-Assad](/source/Hafez_al-Assad) and [Ba'ath Party](/source/Ba'ath_Party), especially from 1973, agents of Syria’s GSD were frequent visitors in [East Berlin](/source/East_Berlin) for training. According to [Stasi](/source/Stasi) files, the Syrians also received equipment and materials from [East Germany](/source/East_Germany), the last such deliveries documented up until 1990.[5]

Under [Bashar al-Assad](/source/Bashar_al-Assad) there was a remarkable continuity among the senior personnel in the intelligence community. The service was in competition with [Political Security Directorate](/source/Political_Security_Directorate) in the late 20th century.[6] Major General [Ghazi Kanaan](/source/Ghazi_Kanaan) possibly headed international security for the General Security Directorate in the late 20th century. In the late 20th century, between 1998 and 2001, Major General Ali Houri was director of the General Security Directorate.

After [Bashar al-Assad](/source/Bashar_al-Assad)'s takeover in 2000, Major General [Ali Hammoud](/source/Ali_Hammoud) was named as head of the General Intelligence Directorate. In 2001, [Hisham Ikhtiyar](/source/Hisham_Ikhtiyar) became the head of the General Intelligence Directorate, replacing Hammoud, who became the [Minister of the Interior](/source/Ministry_of_Interior_(Syria)). Ikhtiyar was close to [Bashar al-Assad](/source/Bashar_al-Assad)'s deceased brother-in-law [Assef Shawkat](/source/Assef_Shawkat).[6] President [Bashar al-Assad](/source/Bashar_al-Assad) in June 2005 appointed General [Ali Mamlouk](/source/Ali_Mamlouk) as commander of the General Intelligence Directorate.[7]

Six years later in April 2011, the US government imposed sanctions on Ali Mamlouk, saying he had been responsible for human rights abuses, including the use of violence against civilians. The agency had repressed internal dissent, monitored individuals, and had been involved in the Syrian government's actions in [Daraa](/source/Daraa), where protesters were killed by the security services. The next month, the [European Union](/source/European_Union) also imposed sanctions on Mamlouk, saying he had been involved in efforts to suppress anti-government protesters. A Sunni, he is said to be on good terms with all of Syria's intelligence agencies – the heads of the [Air Force Intelligence Directorate](/source/Air_Force_Intelligence_Directorate) and the [Political Security Directorate](/source/Political_Security_Directorate) were once his assistants. He is a part of Bashar al-Assad's inner circle.[8] After the [18 July 2012 bombing](/source/18_July_2012_Damascus_bombing) of the [Central Crisis Management Cell (Syria)](/source/Central_Crisis_Management_Cell_(Syria)) and the death of its four key members of team, [Mohammed Dib Zaitoun](/source/Mohammed_Dib_Zaitoun) was named as head of the General Intelligence Directorate.[9]

The General Intelligence Directorate was dissolved along with the Ba'athist Syrian institutions in December 2024 following the [collapse of the Assad regime](/source/Collapse_of_the_Assad_regime). [Anas Khattab](/source/Anas_Khattab), appointed head of Syrian intelligence, said the country's security institutions will be restructured after all former institutions are dissolved.[10][11]

## Organization

The General Intelligence Directorate was under the jurisdiction of the [Ministry of Interior](/source/Ministry_of_Interior_(Syria)).[12] The GID was also controlled by the [President](/source/President_of_Syria) [Bashar al-Assad](/source/Bashar_al-Assad) through the [National Security Bureau](/source/National_Security_Bureau_(Syria)) of the [Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party Central Command](/source/Central_Command_of_the_Arab_Socialist_Ba'ath_Party_%E2%80%93_Syria_Region).[13] It is divided into six branches:

- [Internal Security Division (Branch 251)](/source/Syrian_General_Intelligence_Branch_251)

- External Security Division (Branch 285)

- Palestinian Affairs Division[3]

- Raids and Assault Division (Branch 295)

- Information Branch

- Investigations Branch

### Branch 251

'**Syrian General Intelligence Directorate (GID) Branch 251** ([Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): إدارة المخابرات العامة الفرع الداخلي (251)), also known as internal branch or *Al-Khatib* branch,[14][15][16] was the unit of the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate under the [Assad regime](/source/Assad_regime) concerned with internal security. It has been responsible for security in the [Damascus](/source/Damascus) region.[17] Branch 251 operates [Al-Khatib prison](/source/Al-Khatib_prison), a detention and torture center located in the [Muhajreen](/source/Muhajreen) neighborhood in central Damascus.

[Anwar Raslan](/source/Anwar_Raslan), the former Syrian colonel who was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison in Germany, commanded a unit in Branch 251.[18]

## United States Department of Treasury Sanctions

The [Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria](/source/Independent_International_Commission_of_Inquiry_on_the_Syrian_Arab_Republic) identified Branch 251 and [Al-Khatib prison](/source/Al-Khatib_prison) as a facility controlled by the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate where death in detention and torture have occurred.[19] Branch 251 was designated pursuant to [Executive Order 13572](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Executive_Order_13572) (E.O. 13572), which blocks property of certain properties with respect to Human Rights Abuses in Syria, as being owned or controlled by the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate. The head of Branch 251, Ahmed Al-Dib, was designated pursuant to E.O. 13572 for being a senior official of the Syrian GID and subject to US Treasury sanctions.[19]

## List of heads

- [Mohammed Nasif Kheirbek](/source/Mohammed_Nasif_Kheirbek) (1963–1999)[20][21]

- [Bahjat Suleiman](/source/Bahjat_Suleiman) (1999–June 2005)[22]

- Fouad Nasif Kheirbek (June 2005 – 2011)[7][22]

- [Tawfiq Younes](/source/Tawfiq_Younes) (2011–2016),[23] the European Union sanctioned him for "being involved in violence against the civilian population during the [Syrian uprisings](/source/Civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_Civil_War)".[24]

- [Ahmed Al-Dib](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ahmed_Al-Dib&action=edit&redlink=1) (2016–8 December 2024),[19] sanctioned by the [United States Treasury](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Treasury) for leading Syrian General Intelligence Directorate Branch 251, has been implicated in reports of arbitrary detention and torture of detainees since at least 2011.[19]

## List of detainee and survivors

- [Firas Alshater](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Syrian_General_Intelligence_Branch_251&action=edit&wvprov=sticky-header)

- [Amer Matar](https://re-publica.com/en/user/22031#:~:text=Amer%20Matar%20is%20the%20managing,living%20in%20Berlin%20since%202012.)

- [Feras Fayyad](/source/Feras_Fayyad)

- [Hussein Gharir](https://www.impunitywatch.org/syria-hussein-ghrer-interview-trial/)

### Responsibility

The [Internal Security Division](/source/Syrian_General_Intelligence_Branch_251) is responsible for the surveillance of the population, [counterintelligence](/source/Counterintelligence), [counter-terrorism](/source/Counter-terrorism), security of Damascus as well as protection of the [Government of Syria](/source/Government_of_Syria). The External Security Division is tasked with foreign intelligence work, [espionage](/source/Espionage) and [national security](/source/National_security) protection.[25] And the Palestinian Affairs Division is responsible for monitoring the activities of [Palestinian groups in Syria and Lebanon](/source/Alliance_of_Palestinian_Forces).[25]

## Directors

- [Abd al-Karim al-Jundi](/source/Abd_al-Karim_al-Jundi) (1966–1969)

- Adnan Babagh (1971–?)[26]

- Ali Madani (1970s)[26]

- Nazih Zirayr (?–1983)[27]

- Fu'ad Absi (1983–1987)[27]

- Majid Sa'id (1987–1994)[27][20]

- - Internal branch: [Mohammed Nasif Kheirbek](/source/Mohammed_Nasif_Kheirbek) (1963–1999)[20][21]

- Bashir an-Najjar (1994–1998)[20]

- Ali Houri (1998–2001)[25][28]

- - Deputy Director: [Mohammed Nasif Kheirbek](/source/Mohammed_Nasif_Kheirbek) (1999–June 2005)[25] - Internal branch ([251](/source/Syrian_General_Intelligence_Branch_251)): [Bahjat Suleiman](/source/Bahjat_Suleiman) (1999–June 2005)[29] - External branch: Ayyad Mahmud (1999–?)[30]

- [Ali Hammoud](/source/Ali_Hammoud) (October–December 2001)[28]

- [Hisham Ikhtiyar](/source/Hisham_Ikhtiyar) (December 2001–June 2005)[31]

- [Ali Mamlouk](/source/Ali_Mamlouk) (June 2005 – 2010), the [European Union](/source/European_Union) sanctioned him for "violence against demonstrators during the [Syrian uprising](/source/Civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_Civil_War)".[31][32][24]

- - Deputy Director: Hassan Khallouf (?–June 2004)[29] - Deputy Director: [Mohammed Dib Zaitoun](/source/Mohammed_Dib_Zaitoun) (June 2004–2009) - Internal branch ([251](/source/Syrian_General_Intelligence_Branch_251)): Fouad Nasif Kheirbek (June 2005–2011)[29] - Investigations branch: [Anwar Raslan](/source/Anwar_Raslan) (2008–?)[33] - Deputy Director: [Jamil Hassan](/source/Jamil_Hassan) (2004–1 July 2009)[32][34] - Information branch: Zouheir Hamad (?–July 2010)[34]

- Zouheir Hamad (July 2010–July 2012), the European Union sanctioned him for "the use of violence across Syria and for intimidation and torture of protesters during the [Syrian Civil War](/source/Syrian_Civil_War)".[32][24]

- - Deputy Director: General Nazih (July 2010–July 2012), the European Union sanctioned him for "being responsible for the use of violence across Syria and intimidation and torture of protestors during the [Syrian uprising](/source/Civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_Civil_War)".[24] - Information branch: Ghassan Khalil (July 2010–?), the European Union sanctioned him for "being involved in repression and violence against the civilian population in Syria during the [Syrian uprising](/source/Civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_Civil_War)".[32][24][34]

- [Mohammed Dib Zaitoun](/source/Mohammed_Dib_Zaitoun) (25 July 2012 – 7 July 2019)[35]

- - Deputy Director: Zouheir Hamad (25 July 2012 – 7 July 2019) - Internal branch ([251](/source/Syrian_General_Intelligence_Branch_251)): [Tawfiq Younes](/source/Tawfiq_Younes) (2011-2016),[23] the European Union sanctioned him for "being involved in violence against demonstrators during the [Syrian uprisings](/source/Civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_Civil_War)".[24]

- [Hossam Louka](/source/Hossam_Louka) (7 July 2019 – 8 December 2024)[2]

- - Deputy Director: [Akram Ali Muhammad](/source/Akram_Ali_Muhammad) (7 July 2019 – 2021) - Internal branch ([251](/source/Syrian_General_Intelligence_Branch_251)): Ahmed Al-Dib (2016 – 8 December 2024)[19]

### Regional Directors

- [Damascus](/source/Damascus) branch: Col. [Hafez Makhlouf](/source/Hafez_Makhlouf) (2011-2014), the European Union sanctioned him for "being involved in violence against demonstrators during the [Syrian uprisings](/source/Civil_uprising_phase_of_the_Syrian_Civil_War)".[24]

- - Damascus (branch 285): Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Ma'ala (2011-2012) accused of "ordering or committing [crimes against humanity](/source/Crimes_against_humanity)" by [Human Rights Watch](/source/Human_Rights_Watch).[36] - Damascus (branch 285): Brig. Gen. Hussam Fendi (past-2011) accused of "ordering or committing crimes against humanity".[36]

- [Homs](/source/Homs) (branch 318): Brig. Gen. Firas Al-Hamed (2012) accused of "ordering or committing crimes against humanity".[36]

- [Latakia](/source/Latakia) branch: Brig. Gen. Khudr Khudr (2012) accused of "ordering or committing crimes against humanity".[36]

- [Daraa](/source/Daraa) branch: Brig. Gen. Ahmed Dibe (2011).[37]

- [Raqqa](/source/Raqqa) branch: Brig. Gen. [Khaled al-Halabi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khaled_al-Halabi&action=edit&redlink=1) [[fr](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaled_al-Halabi)] (2008-2013) accused of being involved with the arrest and torture of dissidents, as well as telling security forces to fire on any unauthorized gathering of more than four people.[38]

## List of detainee and survivors

- [Firas Alshater](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firas_Alshater)

- [Amer Matar](https://www.literaturport.de/wab/person/amer-matar/en/)

- [Feras Fayyad](/source/Feras_Fayyad)

- [Hussein Gharir](https://www.impunitywatch.org/syria-hussein-ghrer-interview-trial/)

## Other Syrian intelligence agencies

- [National Security Bureau](/source/National_Security_Bureau_of_the_Arab_Socialist_Ba'ath_Party_%E2%80%93_Syria_Region)

- [Political Security Directorate](/source/Political_Security_Directorate)

- [Military Intelligence Directorate](/source/Military_Intelligence_Directorate_(Syria))

- [Air Force Intelligence Directorate](/source/Air_Force_Intelligence_Directorate)

## References

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Landis_29-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Landis_29-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Landis_29-2) ["SyriaComment.com"](http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/L/Joshua.M.Landis-1/syriablog1/2005/06/bahjat-suleiman-moved-along-with-other.htm). Retrieved 5 November 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Leverett, Flynt (2005). [*Inheriting Syria Bashar's trial by fire*](https://books.google.com/books?id=oL_S9OykXwYC&q=Hassan+Khalil+syria&pg=PA63) ([Online-Ausg.] ed.). Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press. p. 93. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8157-5204-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8157-5204-0).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bar_P.424_31-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bar_P.424_31-1) Bar, Shmuel (2006). ["Bashar's Syria: The Regime and its Strategic Worldview"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110723214138/http://www.herzliyaconference.org/_Uploads/2590Bashars.pdf) (PDF). *Comparative Strategy*. **25** (5): 424. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/01495930601105412](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F01495930601105412). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [154739379](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:154739379). Archived from [the original](http://www.herzliyaconference.org/_Uploads/2590Bashars.pdf) (PDF) on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UPI_32-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UPI_32-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-UPI_32-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-UPI_32-3) ["Syria's Assad 'reshuffles security chiefs'"](http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/10/21/Syrias-Assad-reshuffles-security-chiefs/UPI-89111287688825/). *UPI*. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LesJours2020_33-0)** ["À la recherche d'Anwar Raslan, tortionnaire syrien"](https://lesjours.fr/obsessions/la-traque-anwar-raslan/ep1-arrestation-anwar-raslan/). *Les Jours* (in French). 8 April 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-metransparent.com_34-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-metransparent.com_34-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-metransparent.com_34-2) ["Stratfor report on Syrian Security, Intelligence Leaders (Corrected)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120312023146/http://www.metransparent.com/spip.php?article11370). Archived from [the original](http://www.metransparent.com/spip.php?article11370) on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** [Archived copy](http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/assad-has-many-generals-1486458.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200423223500/http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/assad-has-many-generals-1486458.html) 23 April 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TortureHRW_36-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TortureHRW_36-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TortureHRW_36-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-TortureHRW_36-3) ["Torture Archipelago"](https://www.hrw.org/node/108415/section/2). *Human Rights Watch*. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** [By All Means Necessary](https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria1211webwcover_0.pdf) (PDF) (Report). Human Rights Watch. 2011. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-56432-842-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-56432-842-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["How a Syrian War Criminal and Double Agent Disappeared in Europe"](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/09/20/how-a-syrian-war-criminal-and-double-agent-disappeared-in-europe). *[The New Yorker](/source/The_New_Yorker)*. 11 September 2021.

v t e Ba'athist Syrian security forces Armed Forces (MoD) Army Republican Guard 30th 4th Armoured Special Forces Tiger Forces Desert Hawks Brigade 1st Corps 5th Mechanized 6th Armoured 7th Mechanized 9th Armoured 15th Special Forces 2nd Corps 1st Armoured 2nd Armoured 10th Mechanized 14th Special Forces 3rd Corps 3rd Armoured Qalamoun Shield Forces 8th Armoured 11th Armoured 17th 18th Armoured Syrian Border Guard Forces 5th Assault Corps 8th Brigade1 Ba'ath Brigades Liwa al-Quds Others Navy Air Force Air Defence Force Law enforcement Law enforcement in Syria Ministry of Interior Public Security Police Syrian Special Mission Forces Intelligence National Security Bureau General Intelligence Directorate Internal Branch - 251 Political Security Directorate Military Intelligence Directorate Military Security Shield Forces Forces of the Fighters of the Tribes Popular Resistance of the Eastern Region Syrian Resistance Air Force Intelligence Directorate Guardians of the Dawn Paramilitary/militia National Defence Forces Shabiha Popular Committees Golan Regiment Local Defence Forces Defense Companies Struggle Companies Prisons Adra Al-Khatib Far' Falastin Mezzeh Air Base Mezzeh Sednaya Tadmor Other topics Human rights War crimes Syria and weapons of mass destruction Chemical 1Made up of former opposition forces that reconciled with the Ba'athist government

Authority control databases GND

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [General Intelligence Directorate (Syria)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Intelligence_Directorate_(Syria)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Intelligence_Directorate_(Syria)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.