Mustafa Bakour | |
|---|---|
مصطفى بكور | |
| Chief of Staff of the Syrian Air Force | |
| Assumed office 14 March 2025 | |
| President | Ahmed al-Sharaa |
| Deputy | Hassan Hamada |
| Preceded by | Adel Jadallah Qaysar[1] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1964 (age 61–62) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch/service |  Syrian Air Force (1987–2011; 2025–present) |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | |
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Mustafa Hussein Bakour (Arabic: مصطفى حسين بكور) is a Syrian military officer currently serving as Chief of Staff of the Syrian Air Force following the fall of the Assad regime. During the Syrian civil war, he had previously served as deputy commander-in-chief and spokesman of Jaysh al-Izza.
Education and early career
He was born in Kafr Zita, Hama, in 1964. He obtained a high school diploma in the scientific branch of a local school in 1984. He joined the Air Force Academy and graduated in 1987 with the rank of pilot lieutenant after successfully completing the training program on an Aero L-39 Albatros.[5]
Similarly to other Syrian pilots, Bakour moved across various Syrian airports and completed courses on various combat aircraft, such as the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 and the Sukhoi Su-17, before settling on the Sukhoi SU 22-M4 at Tiyas Air Base for 21 years. During that time period, he reached the level of a day and nighttime flight instructor and test pilot.[5] He also later served in the 22nd Air Defense Division,[6] and commanded a squadron of fighter warplanes.[7]
Role during the Syrian civil war
In 2012, following the start of the Syrian revolution, he defected from the Assad regime and joined the Syrian opposition. He fought alongside opposition factions in northwestern Syria, and joined Jaysh al-Izza in 2016.[5] He held various leadership roles in Jaysh al-Izza, serving as its deputy commander-in-chief and official spokesman, as well as working in moral guidance.[8]
During the Syrian civil war, his house was destroyed and his family was displaced, with his son Muhammad being killed in battle and his son Hussein being severely injured.[5]
He participated in the 2024 Syrian opposition offensives alongside his faction.[6] In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on 29 November, Bakour stated that the opposition factions were pursuing "Iranian militias and removing them from areas from which they can target civilians, especially since they and the regime forces still pose a danger to the lives of civilians, and it is the duty of the revolutionaries to end this danger". He said that it would be hard to determine if they could capture Aleppo because of many variables. He also believed that Turkey might intend to diplomatically take advantage of the increased pressure on the Assad regime because of the offensive.[9]
Post-Assad
On 14 March 2025, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Syrian Air Force, holding the rank of brigadier general.[10]
References
- ^ "شارك بشن غارات جوية ضد السوريين.. ماذا يريد الأسد من ترقية اللواء الطيار "عادل قيصر"..؟!" [He participated in launching airstrikes against the Syrians.. What does Assad want from the promotion of Major General Pilot "Adel Qaysar"..?!]. Shaam News Network (in Arabic). 28 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ^ "قيادي في "جيش العزة" يتحدث لأورينت عن أسباب ونتائج معركة الزلاقيات" [A leader in "Jaysh al-Izza" speaks to Orient about the reasons for and results of the Battle of Zalaqiyat]. Orient News (in Arabic). 19 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
- ^ "العقيد "مصطفى بكور" لـ "شام: لا نستبعد أن تكون معارك حماة لإخضاع "جيش العزة" وسنواصل الصمود" [Colonel Mustafa Bakour told Shaam: "We do not rule out that the battles in Hama are aimed at subduing the Army of Glory, and we will continue to resist."]. Shaam News Network (in Arabic). 11 August 2019. Archived from the original on 27 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
- ^ "قيادي سابق في المعارضة يحذر من مرحلة ثانية من معارك إدلب" [A former opposition leader warns of a second phase of the Idlib battles]. Enab Baladi (in Arabic). 23 August 2019. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d "من هو العميد مصطفى البكور رئيس أركان القوى الجوية والدفاع الجوي؟" [Who is Brigadier General Mustafa Bakour, Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Air Defense?]. Al-Thawra (in Arabic). 26 March 2025. Archived from the original on 26 March 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ a b "مصطفى حسين بكور" [Mustafa Hussein Bakour]. Syrian Memory (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ^ "العميد الطيار مصطفى البكور رئيساً لأركان القوى الجوية والدفاع الجوي" [Brigadier General Pilot Mustafa Bakour is Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Air Defense]. Al-Thawra (in Arabic). 15 March 2025. Archived from the original on 15 March 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ "مصطفى بكور" [Mustafa Bakour]. Manhom (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ Youssef, Omar (29 November 2024). "لهذه الأسباب أطلقت فصائل المعارضة السورية هجومها بحلب وإدلب" [For these reasons, Syrian opposition factions launched their offensive in Aleppo and Idlib]. Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Al-Yazji, Saad (14 March 2025). "الدفاع السورية تكلف قائداً جديداً لأركان القوى الجوية والدفاع الجوي" [The Syrian Ministry of Defense appoints a new commander for the Air Force and Air Defense]. North Press Agency (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 15 March 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
