Syrian sources report that Omar Jaftashi, a Turkish citizen, has been appointed commander of the Syrian army's Division 62, replacing Brig. Gen. Muhammad al-Ghassem (Abu Amasha). The move is intended to strengthen loyalty to President Ahmad al-Sharaa's regime, according to the sources. Division 62, based in Hama province, has been linked to past sectarian violence. Official Syrian sources have not commented.
Syrian sources reported Wednesday evening that President Ahmad al-Sharaa has appointed Omar Jaftashi, a Turkish citizen, as commander of the army's Division 62, replacing Brig. Gen. Muhammad al-Ghassem (Abu Amasha). The sources described the move as meant to strengthen loyalty to the regime, noting that Division 62 soldiers were more loyal to their former commander than to the army; they also said the replacement of Abu Amasha was the basis for the high alert declared in Syria on Tuesday amid fears of a rebellion. Official Syrian sources have not commented.
The Zioneer first reported the crisis at Wed 00:15 Jerusalem, when al-Sharaa placed Abu Amasha under house arrest after he refused to hand over command to Maj. Gen. Jamal al-Saleh. A second report that hour said Abu Amasha refused the dismissal and threatened an armed revolt with his forces, largely made up of fighters from the former pro-Turkish Sultan Suleiman Shah Division; the Syrian Center for Human Rights reported troop movements, checkpoints and a high alert around Division 62 bases in Hama and Afrin, with Turkish intelligence reportedly mediating. Follow-up reporting at Wed 01:18 Jerusalem described a large military convoy heading to the division's headquarters in Hama amid an officially unexplained high alert, and at Wed 01:50 Jerusalem repeated the revolt threat.
As The Zioneer reported on Tue Aug 4, 20:10 Jerusalem, the army sent reinforcements from the 72nd Division toward Al-Bukamal on the Iraqi border, with Iraqi forces monitoring the frontier with drones, according to Al-Mayadeen. Division 62, based in Hama province, has been linked to sectarian massacres in Latakia and southern Syria last year, and its ranks include former pro-Turkish fighters — context that helps explain both the reported Turkish mediation and the appointment of a Turkish-citizen commander. In the broader regional picture, The Zioneer reported on Sun Jul 26, 22:47 Jerusalem that al-Sharaa told Al Jazeera he is pursuing a security agreement with Israel and has no interest in confrontation.
What remains open: Damascus has not confirmed the appointment, and it is unclear whether Abu Amasha has accepted his removal or whether Turkish-mediated talks have defused the standoff. The readiness of Division 62's fighters to accept a newly appointed Turkish-citizen commander is also untested.
3 developments
- DevelopingSyrian army moves large convoy toward 62nd Division HQ in Hama, declares high alert, sources report
- DevelopingSyrian army reinforces Al-Bukamal with 72nd Division; Iraqi forces monitor border with drones, Al-Mayadeen reports
- DevelopingSyrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris in Damascus
- DevelopingMinister Shikli: al-Sharaa's weapons are Turkish, Turkish generals already inside Syrian army
Source and signal
- Open-source intake