A former Syrian military official who ran one of the country’s most notorious prisons and is accused of torturing and killing political dissidents has been arrested in Los Angeles, according to a court filing, quoted by The New Yourk Times.
Federal law enforcement agents detained the former official, Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, 72, just before he was scheduled to depart last Wednesday on a one-way flight to Beirut, Lebanon, which shares a border with Syria, according to court papers. Federal investigators requested that a judge approve an arrest warrant a day earlier.
Mr. al-Sheikh, a permanent resident of Los Angeles since 2020, is accused of attempted naturalization fraud in his effort to seek U.S. citizenship, according to a criminal complaint filed last week. According to the complaint, Mr. al-Sheikh, who ran Syria’s infamous Adra prison and was a police commander, intelligence officer and brigadier general, falsely described whether he persecuted anyone for their political beliefs or had been involved in any killings.
The case is continuing and investigators are considering additional charges, according to court papers.
A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment.
From 2005 to 2008, Mr. al-Sheikh ran Adra prison, a complex on the outskirts of Damascus, the capital, which holds political dissidents, protesters and other civilians accused of crimes.
Former prisoners describe being starved, beaten, tortured and raped at Adra, where many have awaited trial for years or died.
Five former detainees told U.S. investigators that Mr. al-Sheikh oversaw their mistreatment and torture, according to an affidavit filed by an investigator at the Department of Homeland Security.
One said that under Mr. al-Sheikh’s authority, guards broke his back and stomped on him, according to the affidavit. A former Syrian politician recalled how Mr. al-Sheikh ordered his fellow inmates at Adra to kill him so his death would fly under the radar. The former politician said that an inmate who helped him was beaten with electric cables in Mr. al-Sheikh’s office.
Islamic State attacks on track to double in Iraq and Syria compared to last year, US military says
The U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that the Islamic State group is trying “to reconstitute” as the number of attacks in Syria and Iraq is on track to double this year, compared to the year before, according to AP.
IS claimed 153 attacks in the two countries in the first six months of 2024, CENTCOM said in a statement. According to a U.S. defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he wasn’t allowed to speak publicly on the matter, the group was behind 121 attacks in Syria and Iraq in 2023.
“The increase in attacks indicates ISIS is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability,” CENTCOM said.
In northeastern Syria, Kurdish-led authorities issued a general amnesty Wednesday that would include hundreds of Syrians who have been held by the main U.S.-backed force over their roles within IS.
Three Syrian children killed in ‘horrific’ Israeli attack on Lebanon
UN condemns Israeli attack that killed children who were reportedly playing outside their home in south Lebanon, Al-Jazeera reported.
Israeli air attacks in southern Lebanon have killed at least five Syrians, including three children, Lebanese media reported, as Israel’s military and the Hezbollah armed group continued to trade fire across the border.
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said on Tuesday that the three children were killed in an Israeli air raid “that targeted farmland in the village of Umm Toot”, while two others were killed in an Israeli drone attack on the Kfar Tebnit road, which is also in south Lebanon.
Huddud’s House: The Post-Arab Spring Novel Revealing the Human Side of the Syrian War
‘Huddud’s House’ by Fadi Azzam is a novel that delves into the Syrian war’s impact on individuals’ lives, focusing on themes of love, friendship, and survival. The story offers a poignant exploration of Syria before and during the war, highlighting the country’s division, the scattering of its people, and the destruction of its land.
The novel follows four main characters:
– Fidel, a renowned filmmaker.
– Layl, an upper-class medical doctor.
– Anees, a successful surgeon.
– Samia, a revolutionary lawyer.
These characters, bound by love and friendship, are repeatedly torn apart by the Syrian dictatorship and war. The narrative begins on a film set in Dubai, but quickly shifts as Fidel receives a call to film a commercial in Damascus, setting the stage for their sudden immersion into the war’s harsh realities.
Themes:
The novel explores romantic, parental, platonic, and patriotic love amidst the chaos of war. The characters’ relationships reflect the intense, often contradictory emotions experienced during such turbulent times.
Through the protagonists’ experiences, the novel captures the obliteration, massacres, and mass exodus of the Syrian population. Despite their privileged backgrounds, they confront the same challenges as marginalized groups, highlighting the universal struggle against the regime.
The ancient house, Huddud’s House, symbolizes Syria’s resilience. Despite repeated destruction, it emerges stronger each time, mirroring the indomitable spirit of the Syrian people.
The narrative is set against the backdrop of the Arab Spring, with the revolution’s initial promise giving way to brutal conflict. The novel portrays the Syrian rulers’ ruthless defense of their regime, the formation of rebel groups, and foreign powers’ interventions. Ordinary citizens and true revolutionaries striving to protect Syria’s heritage are depicted as the true victims.
The protagonists’ interactions with influential people reveal the regime loyalists’ manipulative tactics. The characters, despite their flaws, grapple with choices that test their values and principles. The novel underscores the importance of genuine commitment to the revolution for lasting change.
Fadi Azzam masterfully blends history, action, love, and politics, using poetic language and vivid imagery. The novel’s rich portrayal of Syria’s cultural heritage, the characters’ inner turmoil, and their longing for their homeland add layers of emotional depth.
Ghada Alatrash’s translation captures the novel’s essence, making it accessible to English-speaking audiences. ‘Huddud’s House’ is more than an engaging read; it is essential for understanding the human dimension of the Syrian conflict. It emphasizes the importance of preserving real stories and national memory for achieving freedom, justice, and democracy.
‘Huddud’s House’ is a compelling narrative that intertwines personal stories with broader historical events. It provides a nuanced understanding of the Syrian war, making it a significant contribution to contemporary literature on the Arab Spring and its aftermath.
