Rafiq Shahadah (Arabic: رفيق شحادة, born 1956) is a retired Syrian Army major general. He was head of the Military Intelligence Directorate and the chief of staff of the Syrian Army's operations in Eastern Syria.[1]
Rafiq Shahadah | |
|---|---|
| Director of Military Intelligence Directorate | |
| In office July 2012 – March 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Abdel-Fatah Qudsiyeh |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Mahala |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1956 (age 67–68) Jableh, Latakia Governorate, Syria |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Syria |
| Branch/service | Syrian Army |
| Years of service | 1977–2018 |
| Rank |  Major general |
| Battles/wars | Syrian civil war |
Early life edit
Shahadah was born in Jableh, Latakia Governorate, in 1956.[2]
Career edit
Shahadah was an adviser to President Bashar Al-Assad on strategic questions and military intelligence. At the initial phase of Syrian war Shahadah was serving as a security official in Homs.[3] During his tenure Marie Colvin, a war correspondent, was killed in an attack in February 2012 which was confirmed by Shahadah who stated "Marie Colvin was a dog and now she’s dead. Let the Americans help her now."[3]
Shahadah was appointed chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate in July 2012, replacing Abdul Fatah Qudsiya, who then became the deputy director of the National Security Bureau.[4][5]
In 2015, Shahadah was dismissed from his role as director of Military Intelligence Directorate, following a dispute with Lt. General Rustum Ghazaleh.[6] After him, Mohamed Mahala was appointed to the post.[7] Until 1 January 2018, Shahadah was head of the Military Security Committee in Deir Ezzor.[8] In July 2020, Shahadah was named as the head of the military office at the Syrian Presidency.[9]
Sanctions edit
On 24 August 2011, the European Union sanctioned Shahada and stated that he was the head of military intelligence's branch 293 which is charged with internal affairs in Damascus.[10][11] The EU accused him of being "directly involved in repression and violence against the civilian population."[12] The same day, the Treasury of the United Kingdom also froze his assets.[13] The Swiss government sanctioned him the following month based on the reasons given by the EU.[14] Canada banned him from the country in October 2011.[15]
References edit
- ^ Leith Aboufadel (28 June 2017). "Syrian military names new commander in eastern provinces". Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- ^ "Asset Freeze Targets" (PDF). HM Treasury. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ a b Deb Riechmann (9 April 2018). "Slain reporter's family says Syrian forces targeted her". Associated Press. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ "Bashar Assad's inner circle". BBC. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
- ^ "Assad reshuffles top security posts after bombing that killed four senior officials". The Times of Israel. Damascus. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
- ^ "The Death of Rustum Ghazaleh". Diwan. 30 April 2015.
- ^ "Assad Appoints New Head of Military Intelligence". The Syrian Observer. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ "President al-Assad to army personnel in Deir Ezzor: You kept the promise and set great model for next generations". Syrian Arab News Agency. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ @AymanDas1 (6 July 2020). "Major General #Rafiq_Shahada was appointed as a head of the Syrian president's office" (Tweet) – via Twitter. [user-generated source]
- ^ "List of natural and legal persons". Official Journal of the EU. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "EU releases new Syrian blacklist". Ahram Online. Agence France-Presse. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- ^ "Council Implementing Decision 2011/515/CFSP of 23 August 2011 implementing Decision 2011/273/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria". EURLex. Archived from the original on 9 January 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
- ^ "Asset Freeze Targets". HM Treasury. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
- ^ "Ordinance instituting measures against Syria" (PDF). Federal Department of Economy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- ^ "Canada Expands Sanctions Against Syria". Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.