Rafiq Shahadah Explained

Birth Place:Jableh, Latakia Governorate, Syria
Allegiance: Syria
Branch:Syrian Army
Serviceyears:1977–2018
Rank: Major general
Battles:Syrian civil war
Office:Director of Military Intelligence Directorate
Predecessor:Abdel-Fatah Qudsiyeh
Successor:Mohamed Mahala
Termstart:July 2012
Termend:March 2015

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]

Early life

Shahadah was born in Jableh, Latakia Governorate, in 1956.[2]

Career

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

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Syrian military names new commander in eastern provinces. Leith Aboufadel. 28 June 2017. 28 June 2017. 4 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181104201326/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-military-names-new-commander-eastern-provinces/. dead.
  2. Web site: Asset Freeze Targets. HM Treasury. 6 July 2022. 29 June 2022.
  3. News: Deb Riechmann. Slain reporter's family says Syrian forces targeted her. 17 August 2021. Associated Press. 9 April 2018.
  4. News: Bashar Assad's inner circle. 30 July 2012. 17 December 2012. BBC.
  5. News: Assad reshuffles top security posts after bombing that killed four senior officials. 17 December 2012. The Times of Israel. 24 July 2012. Damascus.
  6. Web site: The Death of Rustum Ghazaleh. Diwan. 30 April 2015.
  7. Web site: 26 March 2019. Assad Appoints New Head of Military Intelligence . 11 May 2023. The Syrian Observer.
  8. News: 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. 21 January 2024.
  9. AymanDas1. 1280238887953104905. Major General #Rafiq_Shahada was appointed as a head of the Syrian president's office.
  10. News: List of natural and legal persons. 9 February 2013. Official Journal of the EU. 19 January 2012.
  11. News: EU releases new Syrian blacklist. 24 February 2013. Ahram Online. 24 August 2011. Agence France-Presse.
  12. Web site: Council Implementing Decision 2011/515/CFSP of 23 August 2011 implementing Decision 2011/273/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria. EURLex. 17 December 2012. 7 January 2013. https://archive.today/20130107152937/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:218:0020:01:EN:HTML. dead.
  13. Web site: Asset Freeze Targets. HM Treasury. 17 December 2012. 12 December 2012.
  14. Web site: Ordinance instituting measures against Syria. 24 February 2013. Federal Department of Economy. dead. 2 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131002044324/http://www.baselgovernance.org/fileadmin/docs/news/09.09.2011.Ordinance__amedment__Syria_ENG.draft.pdf.
  15. Web site: Canada Expands Sanctions Against Syria. dead. Government of Canada. 8 January 2013. 2 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131002100246/http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/syria-syrie/highlights-faits/2011-10-04.aspx?lang=en&view=d.