Discussions between Syria’s National Security Advisor Major General Ali Mamlouk and Russia’s Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev underscored Monday, the significance of enhancing the collaborative relationship between Syria and Russia, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts. The meeting also included Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian President’s Special Representative for the Middle East and African Countries, and Deputy Foreign Minister.
Secretary Patrushev highlighted the longstanding ties between the two nations, which are poised to celebrate their 80th anniversary this coming July. He reiterated Russia’s commitment to continue supporting Syria across various sectors and emphasized the guiding role of existing agreements between the two countries in ongoing cooperative endeavours.
Major General Mamlouk stressed the critical role of sustained joint coordination in reinforcing the bilateral relations between the two allied nations. He praised the resilience of the Syrian people under President Bashar al-Assad’s leadership and credited the combined efforts of the Syrian Arab Army and Russian support for foiling the objectives of terrorist groups.
Additionally, Mamlouk expressed Syria’s unwavering support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, framing them as a historical correction and a defence of justice and humanity principles.
Mikhail Bogdanov also emphasized the need to boost bilateral cooperation across all sectors. Mamlouk’s visit to Moscow was primarily to participate in the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives on Security Issues, scheduled to be held in Saint Petersburg from April 23 to 25, 2024.
COMMENT FROM THE OBSERVER
In January, the Russian website Gazeta Ru stated that Ali Mamlouk, a high-ranking Syrian official, was hospitalized due to unspecified health issues. However, the Syrian government has not provided any details on his condition.
This report surfaced shortly after the announcement that Kifah Melhem, the former head of military intelligence, had been appointed as the new head of the National Security Office, taking over from Mamlouk. Subsequently, Mamlouk was appointed as a security advisor to President Bashar al-Assad.
Amid these developments, unverified rumours circulated on social media suggesting that Mamlouk had been killed on the Dummar-Damascus road, along with a Russian officer. The opposition-run SNA Agency claimed that political sources did not dismiss the possibility of his assassination, noting Mamlouk’s significant role in advancing Russian interests and his potential future political position in Syria.
Furthermore, it was reported that Mamlouk had disagreements with the Iranian influence in Syria, and his replacement at the start of the year was part of a broader restructuring of the security services under Russian oversight.
Since these reports of his illness and alleged death, Mamlouk has not made any public appearances, adding to the speculations and uncertainty regarding his current status. Mamlouk has held various critical security roles in Syria, including as deputy head of the Air Force Intelligence Branch and later as head of the General Intelligence Service since 2005.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
