Where Are Assad’s Men? Lebanese Sources Reveal Some Names

Nearly a year after the fall of the former Syrian regime, questions continue to mount about the fate of senior officials implicated in crimes against Syrians — and how they managed to flee and disappear without a trace.

In recent weeks, Lebanon has emerged as a main destination for the escape of several of these figures, especially after CNN revealed that former Syrian general Bassem al-Hassan, who fled the country following the regime’s collapse on December 8, 2024, is currently in Beirut.

Mamlouk, Mahla, and Dalla to Moscow

Sources who spoke to Al-Arabiya.net / Al-Hadath.net disclosed that among those who used Lebanon as a “transit corridor” to Russia are Ali Mamlouk, the retired head of National Security; Major General Mohammed Mahla, former head of Military Intelligence; and Ghayath Dalla, a senior commander in the 4th Division led by Maher al-Assad. The three reportedly departed Beirut for Moscow shortly after the regime’s fall.

To Iran via Lebanon

The same sources said that Abdel-Salam Mahmoud, head of the Investigation Branch of Air Force Intelligence, fled Syria to Lebanon and then onward to Iran.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Ali Daher, who worked in the office of Kifah Melhem (former head of National Security), is said to still be residing in a region of Mount Lebanon.

French Judicial Request

In a notable development, Lebanon’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has received a judicial request from France listing three prominent former regime officials: Major General Jamil Hassan, former Air Force Intelligence chief; Ali Mamlouk; and Abdel-Salam Mahmoud.
French authorities have asked Lebanon to investigate their whereabouts and hand them over to Paris if found on Lebanese soil.

Jamil Hassan and Mahmoud in Lebanon

Political analyst Nidal al-Saba’ told Al-Arabiya.net / Al-Hadath.net that both Hassan and Mahmoud are likely still in Lebanon. He noted that Interpol informed Lebanese authorities a week after the regime’s fall that about 30 Syrian officers, including the two men, were in Lebanon, and requested that Hassan be extradited specifically to the United States.
Al-Saba’ added that the recent French request confirms that Paris possesses “accurate information and Lebanese phone numbers used by Hassan and Mahmoud for communication,” reinforcing the likelihood that they remain in Lebanon.

The Mamlouk Family’s Ties to Beirut

Al-Saba’ also revealed that Ali Mamlouk’s brother’s family resides in Beirut and owns investments in the Lebanese capital, noting that Mamlouk’s brother is receiving treatment for cancer at the American University Hospital in Beirut.

Hassan and the Austin Tice Case

Regarding Major General Bassem al-Hassan, accused of overseeing chemical attacks and the kidnapping of American journalist Austin Tice, al-Saba’ said the general initially fled Lebanon to Iran with the help of Iranian officials before returning to Beirut, where he was questioned by a U.S. security team.
According to al-Saba’, Hassan provided the Americans with information about Tice’s death, claiming that the execution order came directly from Bashar al-Assad.

Legal Residency Despite Denials

For her part, Syrian journalist and activist Aliya Mansour told Al-Arabiya.net / Al-Hadath.net that “a number of former regime officials remain in Lebanon and enjoy legal residency, despite official Lebanese denials.”
She added that the security chaos following the regime’s collapse enabled many of them to flee to Lebanon “with the assistance of certain Lebanese security services.”