The General Intelligence Directorate (
Arabic: إِدَارَةُ الْمُخَابَرَاتِ الْعَامَّةِ,
romanized: ʾIdārat al-Mukhābarāt al-ʿAmmāh), also known as the General Security Directorate or Syrian GID, is the most important civil
intelligence service of
Syria and plays an important role in quelling internal dissent.[2][3] The General Intelligence Directorate conducts surveillance of the Syrian population, directs foreign intelligence, and monitors activities in Lebanon.[4]
History
Hisham Bekhityar became the head of the General Security Directorate in 2001, replacing
Ali Hammoud, who became the Minister of Interior.[5] General Bakhtiar was close to
Bashar al-Assad's deceased brother-in-law
Assef Shawkat.[6]
In the late 20th century Maj. Gen Ali Houri was director of General Security Directorate.[7]
The service was in competition with
Idarat al-Amn al-Siyasi in the late 20th century.[6]
Gen.
Ghazi Kanaan possibly headed international security of the General Security Directorate in the late 20th century.[7]
President
Bashar Assad in June 2005 appointed General
Ali Mamlouk as commander of the General Security Directorate.[8]
Six years later in April 2011, the US government imposed sanctions on Ali Mamlouk, saying he had been responsible for human rights abuses, including the use of violence against civilians. Agency had repressed internal dissent, monitored individual citizens, and had been involved in the Syrian government's actions in
Daraa, where protesters were killed by Syrian security services. The next month, the
EU also imposed sanctions on Ali Mamlouk, saying he had been involved in efforts to suppress anti-government protesters. A Sunni, he is said to be on good terms with all of Syria's intelligence agencies – the heads of
Air Force Intelligence and the
Political Security Directorate were once his assistants. He is a part of Bashar al-Assad's inner circle.[2]
Information branch: Zouheir Hamad (?–July 2010)[21]
Zouheir Hamad (July 2010–July 2012), the European Union sanctioned him for "the use of violence across Syria and for intimidation and torture of protesters during the
Syrian Civil War".[18][19]
Deputy Director: General Nazih (July 2010–July 2012), the European Union sanctioned him for "being responsible for the use of violence across Syria and intimidation and torture of protestors during the
Syrian uprising".[2][19]
Information branch: Ghassan Khalil (July 2010–?), the European Union sanctioned him for "being involved in repression and violence against the civilian population in Syria during the
Syrian uprising".[18][19][21]
Deputy Director: Zouheir Hamad (25 July 2012 – 7 July 2019)[2]
Internal branch (
251):
Tawfiq Younes (2011-2016),[23] the European Union sanctioned him for "being involved in violence against demonstrators during the
Syrian uprisings".[19]
Raqqa branch: Brig. Gen. Khaled Al-Halabi (2008-2013) accused of being involved with the arrest and torture of dissidents, as well as telling security forces to fire on any unauthorized gathering of more than four people.[27]