Beirut – A wave of online speculation has erupted regarding the presence of Syrian pilots affiliated with the former Assad regime in Lebanon, prompting questions about whether the Lebanese government will take action. The controversy stems from purported leaked documents and communications implicating high-ranking officers of the ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s army in plots to destabilize the new Syrian government from Lebanese territory.
According to these alleged leaks, General Suheil al-Hassan, formerly a commander within the Assad regime’s elite forces, established a command center in the Al-Haisa region of Lebanon, near the Syrian border, to orchestrate military operations against Damascus. The authenticity of these documents remains unconfirmed.
One document, purportedly bearing al-Hassan’s handwriting, indicates that approximately 20 former Syrian regime pilots, led by Brigadier General Mahmoud Hassouri, are residing in a Lebanese hotel with their families. The document claims that these pilots were initially brought to Lebanon by Iranian actors for eventual relocation to Iran, but were subsequently abandoned. It further alleges that the pilots are now seeking to join al-Hassan’s forces, citing inadequate support from their Iranian handlers.
The alleged leaks have ignited a firestorm on social media, with users flooding platforms with comments and posts. A central question emerging from the online discourse is whether the Lebanese government will hand over these pilots to Syrian authorities or take other measures. The hashtag #AssadPilotsinLebanon is trending across the region.
The uproar prompted a response from Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Mitri, who tweeted expressing concern over reports of activities by supporters of the former Syrian regime within Lebanon. He urged Lebanese security agencies to investigate the claims and take appropriate measures to safeguard Syrian unity and stability, both within Lebanon and originating from its territory.
Mitri’s statement, however, has faced criticism and scrutiny, with some questioning the specificity of his call for action. The situation remains fluid, and the Lebanese government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the presence and status of the Syrian pilots.
