Syria31 July, 20263 min read
Syrian Authorities Arrest Faez Abbas Akhal and Nasr Mohammad Ghosn Over Homs Massacre
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Two men, Faiz Abbas Akhal and Nasr Ghosn, arrested over 2013 Homs massacre (40 dead). Alleged involvement with Assad-era security apparatus and Military Intelligence in Homs attacks.
Homs massacre arrests
Syrian authorities arrested two men accused of war crimes over a massacre in the western Homs countryside, identifying the suspects as Faez Abbas Akhal and Nasr Mohammad Ghosn. The Interior Ministry alleged the men took part in a siege and assault on the village of Wadi Al-Mawla in the Tal Kalakh area, carried out by armed groups affiliated with the Assad regime’s Military Intelligence Directorate. The Interior Ministry said the operation resulted in the deaths of 40 civilians, including women and children, and that the detainees admitted their participation during questioning.
“The Interior Ministry identified the suspects as Faez Abbas Akhal and Nasr Mohammad Ghosn.”
Euronews reported that the Internal Security Forces, under the Ministry of Interior, announced on Thursday, July 30, the arrest of Akhal and Ghosn on suspicion of war crimes and of participating alongside the regime’s security apparatus in attacks targeting civilians in the Homs Governorate. Euronews added that Akhal and Ghosn were referred to the Anti-Terrorism Administration for completing investigations and taking the necessary legal measures, pending their referral to the competent judiciary.
Admissions and accountability
Al Jazeera Net said Syrian internal security forces arrested فايز عباس أكحل and نصر محمد غصن for their involvement in war crimes and their participation alongside the ousted regime's apparatus in attacks that targeted civilians in the countryside of Homs Governorate. In a statement, Al Jazeera Net reported that the detainees admitted during investigations their participation alongside armed groups affiliated with the Military Intelligence Directorate in besieging and storming the village of وادي المولى in the Tal Kalakh area. The Internal Security Forces added that the detainees were referred to the Anti-Terrorism Administration to complete investigations and to take the necessary legal measures, pending their referral to the competent court.
Arab News reported that the arrests took place as the new authorities continue to pursue Assad-era officials and members of security institutions accused of committing war crimes and human rights violations during the country’s civil war. Arab News also said the new authorities pledged to ensure accountability and transitional justice through investigations into alleged crimes committed under the former regime.
Broader crackdown and trials
Euronews said the arrests of Akhal and Ghosn come as part of ongoing internal security efforts to pursue former regime officials and elements who committed crimes and violations against civilians during the years of the Syrian uprising. Euronews reported that the Ministry of Interior announced on July 16 the arrest of two officers in the deposed regime’s army, namely Air Marshal Abdul Razzaq Ibrahim Al-Mir and Karam Hafiz Ibrahim, in separate operations. Euronews also said that on June 15 the ministry announced the cumulative result of operations to pursue military and security personnel affiliated with the deposed regime, saying it had arrested 3,484 people from its security and military elements.
Al-Jazeera Net added that the Ministry of Interior continues to pursue those considered involved in crimes against Syrians over the past 14 years, and regularly arrests new ones. Euronews further stated that trials of figures from the former regime are taking place through two main tracks, locally and internationally, including trials in European countries based on the principle of universal jurisdiction.