More than a year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the flight of its leaders, Syria’s path to stability remains fraught with peril. According to a new investigation, former generals, operating from exile in Russia and Lebanon, are allegedly plotting an armed rebellion.
The investigation reveals that the collapse of the Assad regime did not eliminate the influence of its military and security elite. Instead, some have reportedly regrouped in exile, seeking to destabilize the new Syrian government and potentially carve out areas of control within the country.
The investigation, based on intercepted phone calls, text messages, interviews, and detailed analysis, suggests a complex web where military ambition intersects with financial backing and external political pressure. At the heart of this alleged network are two former generals, both subject to international sanctions: Suheil al-Hassan, a commander of elite forces under the former Assad regime, and Kamal al-Hassan, the former head of military intelligence.
Despite differing approaches, both are reportedly seeking to rebuild influence within a Syria weakened by years of war. Suheil al-Hassan, known as ‘The Tiger’ for his reputed ferocity in combat and use of scorched-earth tactics, faces accusations of ordering airstrikes against civilians. He was among the first officials Moscow sought to evacuate as the regime began to crumble.
Since the spring of 2025, leaked messages from Suheil al-Hassan’s phone allegedly reveal the formation of a clandestine military structure. The report indicates that ‘The Tiger’ has identified and documented over 168,000 fighters from the Alawite sect, potentially forming the backbone of a future insurgency. The veracity of these claims is still being independently investigated.
