Saleh al-Abdullah
Ba'athist Syrian general (born 1967)

Major General

Saleh al-Abdullah
Native name
صالح العبدالله
NicknameThe Lion (السبع)
Born1967 (age 57–58)
Taiba, Safita, Tartus, Syria
Allegiance Ba'athist Syria
Branch Syrian Arab Army
Rank Major general
Commands25th Special Mission Forces Division
30th Division
Security and Military Committee in Aleppo
16th Brigade
Security and Military Committee in Maharda
224th Battalion
Conflicts

Saleh al-Abdullah (Arabic: صالح العبدالله; born 1967),[a] nicknamed The Lion, is a Syrian former military officer who had served as commander of the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, an elite special forces unit formerly known as the Tiger Forces, from April 2024 until the fall of the Assad regime. He previously served as commander of the 30th Division from 2022 to 2024, head of the Security and Military Committee in Aleppo from 2023 to 2024, and commander of the Russian-affiliated 16th Brigade since 2020.

He began his military career in the 1980s, serving in the 7th Division upon graduating from Homs Military Academy. Upon the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, he participated in storming operations in Daraa and Hama Governorate. In 2015, he was promoted to assistant of Suhayl al-Hasan and as Operations Officer of the Tiger Forces, overseeing its troop deployment throughout various campaigns, such as during Operation Northern Storm and the Dawn of Idlib offensive.

Early life

He was born in Taiba, Safita, in 1967 to Alawite parents.[1] He joined the Homs Military Academy in 1985 and, upon graduation, was assigned to the 7th Division of the Syrian Arab Army, stationed in Rif Dimashq Governorate. Upon the start of the Syrian revolution in March 2011, he served as commander of the 244th Battalion of the 121st Mechanized Brigade of the 7th Division, holding the rank of colonel.[2]

Role during the Syrian civil war

Daraa and Hama Governorates (2011)

During the Siege of Daraa, he participated in storming Al-Omari Mosque in Daraa, where residents protesting in its courtyard were killed and arrested. He also participated in other storming operations that took place in Daraa Governorate until he and his battalion were transferred to Hama in July 2011, where he participated in storming the city on 31 July, which led to the killing of 95 civilians and many injuries on the city's residents.[2]

Hama Governorate (2011–2016)

In 2012, he was appointed head of the Security and Military Committee in Maharda, and was stationed in Saint George's Monastery. He participated in storming operations in villages in Hama Governorate, such as Halfaya, Kafr Nabudah, Karnaz, Al-Lataminah, Kafr Zita, and Suran.[2]

According to Pro Justice, he is responsible for various massacres committed by Assad regime forces in Hama Governorate from 2012 to 2016, such as in Al-Qubeir, Tremseh, Halfaya, Al-Jalamah, Maarzaf, Al-Lataminah, and Kafr Zita.[2]

Homs, Aleppo, and Idlib Governorates (2014–2016)

He participated in the Battle of Hosn on 20 March 2014 in western Homs Governorate, helping government forces recapture Al-Zarah and the Krak des Chevaliers.[2] He also commanded military operations in Aleppo Governorate during the Battle of Aleppo, such as Operation Northern Storm and Operation Canopus Star.[1] He also participated in the 2015 Battle of Idlib, the 2015 Jisr al-Shughur offensive, and the 2016 Khanasir offensive.[2]

Operations Officer of the Tiger Forces (2015–2018)

In 2015, al-Abdullah was appointed as assistant to Suhayl al-Hasan, commander of the Tiger Forces, an elite special forces unit renamed to the 25th Special Mission Forces Division in August 2019,[3] as well as Operations Officer of the Tiger Forces. He was promoted to brigadier general on 1 January 2016, and earned the nickname "The Lion". He continued participating in the Battle of Aleppo in the second half of 2016, including its last offensive in November,[4] as well as the 2016 Latakia offensive, the 2017 East Aleppo offensive, the 2017 Southern Raqqa offensive, the September–November 2017 Deir ez-Zor offensive, Operation Damascus Steel, and in Operation Basalt.[2]

Northwestern Syria offensive (2019–2020)

He participated in the Dawn of Idlib offensive in 2019, helping to oversee the deployment and battle operations of Tiger Forces in Hama Governorate.[5][6] On 21 June 2019, Jamil Hassan visited al-Abdullah in an inspection tour to the northern Hama frontlines, telling him, "I came to be with you where heroic deeds are made and epics of pride and dignity are written".[7]

He also participated in the Dawn of Idlib 2 offensive in 2020, supervising the 25th Division's military operations during and after the offensive.[8]

Commander of the 16th Brigade (2020–2021)

In June 2020, he was appointed commander of the 16th Brigade, a Russian-affiliated military formation based in Aleppo Governorate, upon its formation.[1][9] His position as assistant of Suhayl al-Hasan was succeeded by Yunis Muhammad.[10]

In February 2021, he oversaw the deployment of military reinforcements from the 16th Brigade near the opposition-held city of Al-Bab, alongside military personnel from the 25th Division.[3][11]

In late August 2021, he oversaw the deployment of 16th Brigade members into Daraa during the 2021 Daraa offensive alongside members of the 4th Division, and accompanied convoys of military reinforcements.[12][13]

Military promotions (2021–2024)

In early February 2021, during a meeting with Russian military personnel in Khmeimim Air Base, Brigadier General Dmitry Valerievich Glushchenkov (ru) awarded him second-class Russian army medals, decorations, and a letter of appreciation and commendation.[14]

He was sanctioned by the European Union on 21 July 2022 for his position within the Syrian Arab Armed Forces and involvement in recruiting members of the 16th Brigade to fight alongside Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[15]

In October 2022, he was appointed commander of the 30th Division.[16] Prior to his appointment, he had served as its deputy commander since July 2022.[17] In January 2023, he was promoted to major general.[18] In October 2023, he was appointed head of the Security and Military Committee in Aleppo Governorate, succeeding Nizar Younes.[19]

On 9 April 2024, he was appointed commander of the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, succeeding Suhayl al-Hasan.[20] His position in the 30th Division and the Security Committee was succeeded by Mohammad Salman Saftli.[21]

Syrian Desert campaign (June–August 2024)

In June 2024, as part of the overarching Syrian Desert campaign, al-Abdullah and the 25th Division participated in a new military campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS), stating on 7 June that his forces had begun a joint military operation with Russian forces, intending on "preventing the American enemy from carrying out attacks in the Syrian Desert through ISIS".[22][23] On 4 October 2024, a new campaign led by the 25th Division was launched, focused on combing locations in eastern Homs and southern Raqqa Governorates.[24]

According to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Russia prematurely halted the combing operations in October 2024 due to concerns of a potential offensive from Idlib Governorate against Assad regime positions, and a few days later, al-Abdullah visited western rural Aleppo Governorate on 11 October to oversee the distribution and deployment of military personnel.[25]

Northwestern Syria offensive (2024)

Following the start of Operation Deterrence of Aggression, spearheaded by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, he commanded the 25th Division during the 2024 Battle of Aleppo.[26] On 28 and 29 November, he participated in a secret meeting at Kuweires Military Airbase, which included Chief of Staff Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim and Sergey Kisel.[27] According to Middle East Eye, he arrived at the outskirts of Aleppo by 29 November alongside Suhayl al-Hasan to reinforce army positions, as well as taking positions at Al-Nayrab Airport, later withdrawing shortly afterwards to Hama and establishing defensive positions.[26]

According to New Lines Magazine, al-Abdullah quarrelled with al-Hasan over control of military operations in Aleppo Governorate,[27] which Alpheratz Magazine said had been recorded in text conversations from confiscated phones of regime officers.[28] According to analyst Gregory Waters, in the wake of the fall of Aleppo, al-Abdullah was sacked on 2 December for failing to organize his division, being succeeded by al-Hasan, and may have been arrested.[29]

After the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, his whereabouts currently remain unknown.[30]

References

  1. ^ a b c Waters, Gregory (12 September 2022). "From Tiger Forces to the 16th Brigade: Russia's evolving Syrian proxies". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "صالح العبدالله" [Saleh al-Abdullah]. Pro Justice (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b Al-Ahmad, Mohammed (16 February 2021). "مليشيات مدعومة من روسيا ترسل تعزيزات إلى شرق حلب" [Russian-backed militias send reinforcements to eastern Aleppo]. Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  4. ^ "موالون: خطة وضعها "النمر" لعملية عسكرية جديدة في حلب (صور)" [Loyalists: A plan drawn up by the "Tiger" for a new military operation in Aleppo (photos)]. Enab Baladi (in Arabic). 25 November 2016. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  5. ^ Al-Khatib, Khaled (15 May 2019). "خريطة الانتشار العسكري في جبهات ادلب ومحيطها" [Map of military deployment on the fronts of Idlib and its surroundings]. Al Modon (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  6. ^ "" النمر - السبع - كنعان - الرحال".. تعرّف إلى أبرز قادة حملة ميليشيا أسد على إدلب وحماة" ["The Tiger - The Lion - Canaan - The Traveler"... Get to know the most prominent leaders of the Assad militia's campaign against Idlib and Hama]. Orient News (in Arabic). 14 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  7. ^ "جميل حسن يزور مواقع قوات الأسد في ريف حماة (صور)" [Jamil Hassan visits Assad forces' positions in the Hama countryside (photos)]. Enab Baladi (in Arabic). 21 June 2019. Archived from the original on 17 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  8. ^ "جيوش وميليشيات متعددة الجنسيات تهاجم إدلب.. جردة حساب للحملة العسكرية الأخيرة" [Multinational armies and militias attack Idlib.. An inventory of the latest military campaign]. Zaman al-Wasl (in Arabic). 25 April 2020. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  9. ^ "تشكيل روسي جديد.. وظهور للنمر بعد غياب طويل" [A new Russian formation... and the emergence of the Tigers after a long absence]. Zaman al-Wasl (in Arabic). 28 June 2020. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  10. ^ "تغييرات عسكرية.. روسيا تُعين نائباً لـ سهيل الحسن تعرف إليه (صور)" [Military Changes.. Russia Appoints Deputy to Suhail al-Hassan. Get to know him. (Photos)]. Orient News (in Arabic). 30 June 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  11. ^ "النظام يرسل تعزيزات من إدلب إلى محيط "الباب" شرقي حلب" [The regime sends reinforcements from Idlib to the vicinity of Al-Bab, east of Aleppo]. Baladi News (in Arabic). 16 February 2025. Archived from the original on 16 August 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  12. ^ Karkas, Emad (30 August 2021). "العربي-الجديد"-روسيا-تشارك-في-معارك-وحصار-درعا "مصادر عسكرية لـ"العربي الجديد": روسيا تشارك في معارك وحصار درعا" [Military sources to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed: Russia is participating in the battles and siege of Daraa]. Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (in Arabic). "العربي-الجديد"-روسيا-تشارك-في-معارك-وحصار-درعا Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  13. ^ "مدعوم من روسيا.. اللواء 16 اقتحام يحشد قواته في درعا" [Backed by Russia, the 16th Assault Brigade mobilizes its forces in Daraa]. Nabaa Media Foundation (in Arabic). 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  14. ^ "روسيا تُكثف اجتماعاتها مع قادة ميليشيات مسيحيين في ريف حماة وآثار مسروقة في كنيسة "آيا صوفيا"" [Russia intensifies meetings with Christian militia leaders in the Hama countryside, and stolen artifacts are found in the Hagia Sophia Church]. Zaman al-Wasl (in Arabic). 9 February 2021. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  15. ^ "COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2022/1277 of 21 July 2022 implementing Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria". EUR-Lex. Official Journal of the European Union. 21 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  16. ^ "خلفاً لـ"صالح العبدالله".. النظام يعين قائداً للفرقة 30 واللجنة الأمنية في حلب" [Successor to Saleh al-Abdullah, the regime appoints a commander for the 30th Division and the Security Committee in Aleppo]. Shaam News Network (in Arabic). 13 April 2024. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  17. ^ "مع ترقية 21 عميد إلى رتبة لواء .. النظام ينهي خدمة 11 ضابطاً دون ذكر الأسباب" [With the promotion of 21 brigadier generals to the rank of major general, the regime terminates the service of 11 officers without stating the reasons]. Shaam News Network (in Arabic). 4 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  18. ^ "مجرم حرب.. من هو صالح عبد الله الذي رقاه الأسد إلى رتبة لواء؟" [War criminal... Who is Saleh Abdullah, whom Assad promoted to the rank of major general?]. Al-Souria Net (in Arabic). 9 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  19. ^ "النظام يُعيين "مجـ ـرم حـ ـرب" رئيساً للجنة الأمنية في حلب وآخر قائداً للمنطقة الجنوبية" [The regime appoints a "war criminal" as head of the security committee in Aleppo and another as commander of the southern region]. Shaam News Network (in Arabic). 13 October 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  20. ^ "تعيينات عسكرية جديدة داخل النظام.. سهيل الحسن قائدا للقوات الخاصة" [New military appointments within the regime: Suheil al-Hassan appointed commander of the Special Forces]. Syria TV (in Arabic). 9 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  21. ^ "خلفاً لـ"صالح العبدالله".. النظام يعين قائداً للفرقة 30 واللجنة الأمنية في حلب" [Successor to Saleh al-Abdullah, the regime appoints a commander for the 30th Division and the Security Committee in Aleppo]. Shaam News Network (in Arabic). 13 April 2024. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  22. ^ Ahmed, Adnan (7 June 2024). "عملية عسكرية للنظام في البادية السورية ضد "داعش" بدعم روسي" [A regime military operation in the Syrian desert against ISIS with Russian support]. Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  23. ^ "هجمات وانفجارات في البادية تسفر عن مقـ ـتل وجرح عناصر من قوات الأسد" [Attacks and explosions in the Badia result in the death and injury of members of Assad's forces]. Shaam News Network (in Arabic). 29 June 2024. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  24. ^ "قوى مشتركة من النظام تطلق حملة تمشيط للبادية السورية" [Joint regime forces launch a combing campaign in the Syrian desert]. Naher Media (in Arabic). 4 October 2024. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  25. ^ Baresh, Manhal (12 October 2024). "المقارنة غير الجائزة بين إدلب السورية وكييف الأوكرانية" [The inadmissible comparison between Idlib, Syria, and Kyiv, Ukraine]. Al-Quds Al-Arabi (in Arabic). Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  26. ^ a b Al-Salhy, Suadad (5 February 2025). "How Syrian mutinies and betrayal sunk Iran's support for Assad". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  27. ^ a b Shahin, Kamal (6 March 2025). "The Disintegration of Assad's Army". New Lines Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 March 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  28. ^ Al-Mousa, Abdullah (7 February 2025). "قصة المعركة التي أسقطت الأسد في اثني عشر يوماً" [The story of the battle that brought down Assad in twelve days]. Alpheratz Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  29. ^ Waters, Gregory (4 December 2024). "The Slow Collapse of the Syrian Army". Syria Revisited (Substack). Archived from the original on 11 March 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  30. ^ Ali, Tarek (14 December 2024). "بين عشية وضحاها... إرث ثقيل من الجرائم المروعة في سوريا هرب" [Overnight... a heavy legacy of horrific crimes in Syria escaped]. Independent Arabia (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2025.

Notes

  1. ^ Also spelled "صالح العبد الله"
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