Anonymous sources have revealed to Syria TV that Syrian security forces recently detained Shaher al-Shaher, a figure closely associated with the inner circle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Al-Shaher, who formerly served as an advisor to the regime’s Minister of Economy and was considered for the role of Syria’s ambassador to China, was reportedly arrested while visiting his friend, Mohammad Samer al-Khalil, the Minister of Industry in Assad’s government.
Al-Shaher and al-Khalil have a longstanding friendship, dating back to before al-Shaher’s studies at Sun Yat-sen University in China. According to the sources, his arrest highlights internal power struggles within the Syrian regime.
Assad’s Praise and Potential Reasons for the Arrest
Sources noted that Bashar al-Assad met with al-Shaher during his official visit to China last year and commended his efforts in strengthening bilateral ties. However, conflicting reports point to various reasons for his arrest. One source attributes it to a report from the military attaché at the Syrian embassy in China. Another suggests that a former palace official felt slighted by Assad’s personal acknowledgment of al-Shaher, a move that also reportedly unsettled Mohammad Hasnain Khaddam, Syria’s ambassador to China, who viewed it as an infringement on his diplomatic authority. Khaddam allegedly fabricated charges against al-Shaher, encouraging him to return to Syria after a prolonged absence.
The regime, following its typical pattern, framed the arrest within a legal context. According to sources, al-Shaher was apprehended upon arrival at Damascus International Airport about a month ago, reportedly carrying a kilogram of gold and $100,000. He was accompanied by his wife, Taj Ibrahim, a diplomatic attaché at the Syrian embassy in Bahrain, where her assignment had recently concluded.
A Blocked Ministerial Appointment
Insiders disclosed that al-Shaher had been shortlisted by Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali a a candidate in a recent ministerial reshuffle. However, political dynamics, especially the absence of representation from Deir Ezzor, his home province, and the eastern region, ultimately blocked his appointment. Al-Shaher had also voiced subtle criticism of Assad’s regime, urging that “a Baathist should be the first to sacrifice and the last to benefit.”
Infighting Among Security Branches
Sources link al-Shaher’s arrest to personal rivalries within Syria’s security apparatus. He was detained by military intelligence, though he reportedly worked with the Republican Palace Department and State Security Intelligence (external branch), receiving directives for his media appearances, where he frequently appeared on outlets like Syrian News, Al-Mayadeen, Russia Today, Sky News Arabia, and France 24.
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Supporting the idea of internal security conflict, al-Shaher had previously received a public letter of gratitude from Assad, which he shared on social media. His brother, Dr. Nasser al-Shaher, continues to serve as assistant director of the Forensic Medicine Department in the Ministry of Interior, overseeing intelligence-linked reports on detainee deaths. Meanwhile, al-Shaher’s wife maintains her diplomatic post.
Political Ties and Influence
Al-Shaher has longstanding connections to the regime’s elite. He was a close associate of former Prime Minister and Hama Governor Ma’an al-Abboud, dating back to their involvement in the Revolutionary Youth Union. Additionally, al-Shaher’s influence in the regime’s circles stems from his research on decision-making mechanisms within the presidential palace, which led to his role as director of the Youth Studies Center under the Baath Party’s Qatari leadership and established his rapport with Assad’s advisor, Buthaina Shaaban.
An academic by background, al-Shaher holds a PhD in political science from Aleppo University and previously taught at Al-Furat University. He also directs the National Center for Research and Strategic Studies and edits the Iranian publication Madarat. In a Facebook post dated August 16, 2024, he mentioned being among the candidates for the new cabinet.
Arrests of Regime-Linked Media Figures
The sources further revealed that al-Shaher is not alone in facing detention. Recently, the regime also arrested two prominent journalists tied to its media apparatus: Tamim Dwehi, who worked with official Syrian TV, and his brother Hussam Dwehi, a journalist at the regime-affiliated al-Thawra newspaper.
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.
