Air Force Intelligence Directorate

Syrian intelligence service

Air Force Intelligence Directorateإدارة المخابرات الجوية
Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-Jawiyya

Agency overview
Formed| 1963
Jurisdiction| Government of Syria
Headquarters| Damascus, Syria
Agency executives|

* Ghassan Jaoudat Ismail (2019–present), Director
* Malik Habib (2023–present), Deputy Director

Parent agency| Military of Syria

The Air Force Intelligence Directorate (Arabic: إدارة المخابرات الجوية, romanized: Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-Jawiyya) is an intelligence service of Syria, possibly the country's most powerful,[1] owing its importance to Hafez al-Assad's role as the Air Force commander.[1] Despite its name, it is mainly involved with issues other than air force intelligence,[2] and took an active part in the suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood rebellion in the 1980s.[3] Agents of this service have frequently been stationed in Syrian embassies or branch offices of the national airline.[4]

The service was headed for nearly thirty years by Maj. Gen. Muhammad al-Khuli, who was trusted by Hafez al-Assad and had an office adjacent to the president's in the presidential palace.[3] In 1995, it was headed by Ibrahim Huwayji.[5]

As of 2023, it is headed by Major General Ghassan Jaoudat Ismail.[6][7] Ghassan previously served as a security official in the eastern governorate of Deir ez-Zor. He is a part of Bashar al-Assad's inner circle,[8] though he has criticized "the decision of the leadership" to not immediately crush the 2011 Syrian uprising in its very beginning, making him a hardliner in the Syrian leadership.

The service also took part in the efforts to put down the 2011 Syrian uprising against Bashar al-Assad's government. It is known to have been active in the town of Talkalakh near the Lebanese border.[9]

## Directors[edit]

* Muhammad al-Khuli (1963–1987)[10]
* Ibrahim Huwayji (1987–2002)[10][11]
* Iz a-Din Isma'il (2002 – )[12]
* Deputy Director: Ali Mamlouk ( – June 2005)[13]
* Abdel-Fatah Qudsiyeh ( – 2009)[14][15]
* Jamil Hassan (1 July 2009–7 July 2019)[7][15] was sanctioned by the European Union for being "involved in violence against the civilian population."[16][17]
* Deputy Director: Ghassan Jaoudat Ismail (2012–2019)
* Deputy Director: Fu'ad Tawil (2012) was sanctioned by European Union for "the use of violence across Syria and intimidation and torture of protestors."[16]
* Head of Investigative branch: Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Fajer Mahmoud (2011), accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity by Human Rights Watch.[18][19]
* Head of Special Operations branch: Maj. Gen. Ghassan Jaoudat Ismail (2011).[19]
* Head of Operations branch: Col. Suheil Hassan (2011).[19]
* Ghassan Jaoudat Ismail (8 July 2019–present)[6]
* Deputy Director: Malik Ali Habib (2023–present)

### Regional Directors[edit]

* Damascus branch: Eyad Mandou (2012)[20]
* Homs branch: Brig. Gen. Jawdat al-Ahmed (2012) accused of "ordering or committing crimes against humanity".[18]
* Daraa branch: Col. Qusay Mihoub (2012) accused of "ordering or committing crimes against humanity".[18]
* Latakia branch: Col. Suhail Al-Abdullah (2012) accused of "ordering or committing crimes against humanity".[18]

## Paramilitary units[edit]

* Guardians of the Dawn (disbanded in 2017)[21]
* Lions of the Cherubim
* Earthquake of Jobar
* Ararat Group
* Lions of the Valley
* Intervention Regiment
* Lions of Dwel’a[22]
* Khaybar Brigade (disbanded in 2017)[23]
* Fawj Nusur (Leopards) of Homs (disbanded in 2018)[24]
* Kata'ib al-Jabalawi of Homs (disbanded in 2018)[25]

## Other Syrian intelligence agencies[edit]

* General Security Directorate
* Political Security Directorate
* Military Intelligence Directorate

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Syria, Intelligence and Security". Espionageinfo.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
2. ^ "Le rapport Mehlis : la Syrie et de hauts responsables libanais officiellement impliqués dans l'assassinat de Rafic Hariri" [The Mehlis report: Syria and senior Lebanese officials officially implicated in the assassination of Rafic Hariri]. Desinfos.com. 21 October 2005. Archived from the original on 13 January 2006.
3. ^ a b "Syria's Intelligence Services: A Primer". Meib.org. July 2000. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008.
4. ^ "NSNL 61 – Intelligence profile : Syria". cvni.net. 3 June 2003. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
5. ^ Zisser, Eyal (September 1995). "The Succession Struggle in Damascus – Middle East Quarterly". Middle East Quarterly. Meforum.org. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
6. ^ a b "Assad replaces high-ranking Intel chief". Al-Masdar News. 7 July 2019. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019.
7. ^ a b Al Hendi, Ahed (3 May 2011). "The Structure of Syria's Repression". ForeignAffairs.com.
8. ^ "Bashar al-Assad's inner circle". BBC News. 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012.
9. ^ Ana Maria Luca; Nadine Elali (30 April 2011). "The Syrian uprising's refugees". NOW Lebanon. Archived from the original on 9 May 2011.
10. ^ a b Rathmell, Andrew (Fall 1997). "Syria's Intelligence Services: Origins and Development". Journal of Conflict Studies. XVI (2). Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
11. ^ Gambil, Gary (February 2002). "The Military-Intelligence Shakeup in Syria". Middle East Intelligence Bulletin. 4 (2).
12. ^ Bar, Shmuel (2006). "Bashar's Syria: The Regime and its Strategic Worldview" (PDF). Comparative Strategy. 25 (5): 424. doi:10.1080/01495930601105412. S2CID 154739379. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 July 2011.
13. ^ "Ali Mamluk: Syria's new security chief". Al-Ahram. AFP. 24 July 2012.
14. ^ "Syria's Assad 'reshuffles security chiefs'". UPI. 21 October 2010.
15. ^ a b "The Syrian President Reshuffles Security, Intelligence Leaders". 28 September 2010. Middle East Transparent. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012.
16. ^ a b "Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 of 18 January 2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria and repealing Regulation (EU) No 442/2011". Eur-lex.europa.eu. 18 January 2012. Document 32012R0036. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
17. ^ "Council Regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria and repealing Regulation (EU) No 442/2011".
18. ^ a b c d "Torture Archipelago". Human Rights Watch (Press release). 3 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
19. ^ a b c Neistat, Anna; (Organization), Human Rights Watch (December 2011). "By All Means Necessary" Individual and Command Responsibility for Crimes against Humanity in Syria (PDF). Human Rights Watch. ISBN 978-1-56432-842-7.
20. ^ Syria: Turkish embassy closed, senior intel officer assassinated. Al Bawaba (26 March 2012). Retrieved on 12 April 2012.
21. ^ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (14 December 2016). "Usud Al-Cherubim: A Pro-Assad Christian Militia". Syria Comment.
22. ^ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (24 December 2016). "The Fifth Legion: A New Auxiliary Force". Syria Comment.
23. ^ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (3 January 2016). "The Syrian National Resistance: Liwa Khaybar". Syria Comment.
24. ^ "The Leopards of Homs: A Pro-Assad Militia".
25. ^ "Kata'ib al-Jabalawi: A Pro-Assad Militia from Homs".

* v
* t
* e

Syrian security forces

Military|

* Ministry of Defense
* Syrian Armed Forces
* Syrian Army
* Syrian Navy
* Syrian Air Force
* Syrian Air Defense Force
* National Defence Forces

Law enforcement|

* Law enforcement in Syria
* Ministry of Interior
* Syrian Public Security Police
* Syrian Special Mission Forces

Intelligence|

* National Security Bureau of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region
* Air Force Intelligence Directorate
* General Intelligence Directorate
* Internal Branch - 251
* Political Security Directorate
* Military Intelligence Directorate

Paramilitary/militia|

* Shabiha
* Popular Committees
* Military Security Shield Forces

Syria and weapons of mass destruction (Chemical)

* v
* t
* e

National intelligence agencies

Foreign
intelligence|

| A|

* Afghanistan: GDI
* Albania: SHISH
* Algeria: DRS
* Angola: SIE
* Argentina: AFI
* Armenia: NSS
* Austria: DSN
* Australia: ASIS
* Azerbaijan: XKX

|

* Bahrain: NSA
* Bangladesh: NSI
* Belarus: KGB RB
* Belgium: ADIV/SGRS
* Bosnia and Herzegovina: OSA-OBA
* Botswana: DIS
* Brazil: ABIN
* Brunei: BRD
* Bulgaria: DAR

* Cameroon: BMM
* Canada: CSIS
* Chad: ANS
* Chile: ANI
* China: MSS
* Congo (Democratic Republic of): ANR
* Croatia: SOA
* Cuba: DI
* Czech Republic: ÚZSI

* Denmark: FE
* Djibouti: BSRG

* Ecuador: SENAIN
* Egypt: Mukhabarat
* Estonia: EFIS
* Ethiopia: NISS

* France: DGSE

* Gambia: SIS
* Georgia: GIS
* Germany: BND
* Ghana: BNI, BGU, RDU
* Greece: EYP

* Hungary: IH

* India: RAW
* Indonesia: BIN
* Iran: VAJA
* Iraq: INIS
* Ireland: G2
* Israel: Mossad
* Italy: AISE
* Ivory Coast: NSC

* Japan: CIRO
* Jordan: GID

* Kazakhstan: Syrbar
* Kenya: NIS
* Kyrgyzstan: UKMK
* Kuwait: KSS

* Latvia: SAB
* Liberia: NSA
* Lithuania: VSD
* Lebanon: GDGS
* Libya: MJ

* Malaysia: MEIO
* Mexico: CISEN
* Moldova: SIS
* Mongolia: GIA
* Montenegro: ANB
* Morocco: DGST
* Mozambique: SISE
* Republic of North Macedonia: UBK

* Netherlands: AIVD
* New Zealand: NZSIS
* Nigeria: NIA
* North Korea: RGB
* Norway: E-tjenesten

* Oman: Palace Office

* Pakistan: ISI
* Papua New Guinea: NIO
* Philippines: NICA
* Poland: AW
* Portugal: SIED

* Qatar: QSS

* Romania: SIE
* Russia: SVR

* Saudi Arabia: GIP
* Serbia: BIA
* Sierra Leone: CISU
* Singapore: SID
* Slovakia: SIS
* Slovenia: SOVA
* Somalia: NISA
* South Africa: SSA
* South Korea: NIS
* Spain: CNI
* Sri Lanka: SIS
* Sudan: GIS
* Sweden: KSI
* Switzerland: NDB
* Syria: GSD

* Taiwan: NSB
* Tajikistan: GKNB
* Tanzania: TISS
* Thailand: NIA
* Togo: NIA
* Tunisia: TIA
* Turkey: MİT
* Turkmenistan: MNS

* Uganda: ESO
* Ukraine: SZRU
* United Arab Emirates: SIA
* United Kingdom: SIS (MI6)
* United States: CIA
* Uzbekistan: SSS

* Vietnam: TC2

Domestic
intelligence|

| A|

* Algeria: CSS
* Angola: SINSE
* Argentina: AFI
* Australia: ASIO
* Austria: DSN
* Azerbaijan: DTX

|

* Bangladesh: SB
* Belarus: KGB RB
* Belgium: VS/SE
* Bosnia and Herzegovina: SIPA
* Botswana: DIS
* Brazil: PF
* Brunei: IRD
* Bulgaria: DANS
* Burundi: SNR

* Canada: CSIS
* Chile: ANI
* China: MSS
* Colombia: DNI
* Congo (Democratic Republic of): ANR
* Croatia: SOA
* Czech Republic: BIS

* Denmark: PET

* Egypt: EHS
* Estonia: KAPO

* Finland: SUPO
* France: DGSI

* Georgia: SSSG
* Germany: BfV, LfV
* Ghana: GPS, CID
* Greece: EYP

* Hong Kong: NSD, CPGNSO
* Hungary: AH

* India: IB
* Indonesia: Baintelkam Polri (id), BIN
* Iran: VAJA, IRGC, PAVA
* Ireland: CSB, SDU, NSU
* Israel: Shin Bet
* Italy: AISI

* Japan: NPA, TMPD PSB, PSIA

* Kazakhstan: NSC
* Kenya: NIS
* Kosovo: AKI

* Latvia: VDD
* Lithuania: STT
* Lebanon: ISF, LSS
* Luxembourg: SREL

* Macau: DS
* Malaysia: SB
* Moldova: SIS
* Republic of North Macedonia: IA

* Netherlands: NCTV
* New Zealand: NZSIS
* Nigeria: SSS
* North Korea: SSD
* Norway: PST

* Oman: ISS

* Pakistan: IB, FIA
* Palestine: PSS
* Paraguay: SNI
* Peru: DINI
* Philippines: NBI, NICA
* Poland: ABW, SOP, SM
* Portugal: SIS

* Romania: SRI
* Russia: FSB

* Saudi Arabia: Mabahith
* Serbia: BIA
* Singapore: ISD
* Somalia: NISA
* South Africa: SSA
* South Korea: Intelligence Bureau, KNPA
* Spain: CITCO
* Sri Lanka: SIS
* Sweden: SÄPO
* Switzerland: NDB
* Syria: GSD

* Taiwan: MJIB
* Thailand: ISOC, SB
* Turkey: MİT, İB

* Uganda: ISO
* Ukraine: SBU
* United Kingdom: Security Service (MI5), NDEDIU, NCA, NBIS
* United States: I&A, FBI
* Uzbekistan: SNB

* Venezuela: SEBIN
* Vietnam: TC5 (vi)

* Zimbabwe: CIO

Military
intelligence|

| A|

* Algeria: DCSA
* Angola: SIM
* Australia: DIO
* Austria: HNaA

|

* Bangladesh: DGFI
* Belarus: GRU MO RB
* Belgium: ADIV/SGRS
* Brazil: DIE

* Canada: CFINTCOM
* China: CMC JSD Intelligence Bureau
* Congo (Democratic Republic of): DEMIAP
* Croatia: VSOA
* Cuba: DCIM
* Czech Republic: VZ

* Denmark: FE

* Egypt: DMISR

* Finland: PE TIEDOS
* France: DRM, DGSE

* Germany: MAD
* Ghana: MIU

* Hungary: KNBSZ

* Iran: General Staff, SAHEFAJA, SAHEFASA, SAHEFAVEDJA
* India: DMI, DIA
* Indonesia: BAIS TNI, Pusintelad
* Ireland: G2
* Israel: Aman
* Italy: CII

* Japan: MIC

* Kazakhstan: NSC

* Lithuania: AOTD

* Republic of North Macedonia: MSSI
* Malaysia: DISD
* Maldives: MNDF
* Morocco: DGED
* Myanmar: Sa Ya Pa

* Netherlands: MIVD
* New Zealand: DDIS
* Nigeria: DIA
* North Korea: RGB
* Norway: E-tjenesten

* Pakistan: MI, NI, AI
* Philippines: ISAFP
* Poland: SKW, SWW
* Portugal: CISMIL

* Romania: DGIA
* Russia: GRU

* Saudi Arabia: AFISC
* Serbia: VOA, VBA
* Singapore: MIO
* Slovakia: VS
* Slovenia: OVS
* South Africa: SANDF-ID
* South Korea: DIA, DCC
* Spain: CIFAS
* Sri Lanka: DMI
* Sweden: MUST
* Switzerland: MND, LWND
* Syria: MI, AFID

* Taiwan: MIB
* Thailand: AFSC
* Turkey: GENKUR İ.D.B.

* Ukraine: HUR MO
* United Kingdom: DI
* United States: DIA
* ONI
* MIC
* USAFI

* Venezuela: DGCIM
* Vietnam: TC2

Signals
intelligence|

| A|

* Australia: ASD

|

* Bangladesh: NTMC
* Brazil: 2ª Sch/EMD

* Canada: CSE
* China: SIGINT
* Croatia: OTC

* Ethiopia: INSA

* Finland: PVTIEDL
* France: DGSE, DRSD

* Germany: BND
* Ghana: RDU

* India: JCB,NTRO
* Indonesia: BSSN (id)
* Ireland: CIS
* Israel: 8200

* Japan: DIH

* Kazakhstan: NSC

* Netherlands: NSO, JSCU
* New Zealand: GCSB
* North Korea: RGB
* Norway: NSM

* Pakistan: JSIB
* Poland: AW, ABW, SKW, SWW, NCBC, gOR 3.FO, CRiWWRE, 2.ORel, 6.ORel, JW NIL

* Romania: STS
* Russia: Spetssvyaz

* Saudi Arabia: PSS
* South Africa: SSA
* Spain: CCN
* Sweden: FRA
* Switzerland: NDB
* Syria: MI

* Turkey: MİT-SİB

* UAE: SIA
* Ukraine: Derzhspetszviazok
* United Kingdom: GCHQ
* United States: NSA

Imagery
intelligence|

* Australia: AGO
* Finland: PVTIEDL
* India: DAI
* Indonesia: BIG
* Israel: Air Intelligence Group
* Malaysia: MaCGDI
* New Zealand: GEOINT NZ
* Poland: AW, SWW, ORO, 12.BBSP, JW NIL
* Pakistan: Air Intelligence
* Philippines: NMARSC
* Portugal: CIGeoE
* Russia: TsVTI GRU
* United Kingdom: DGIFC
* United States: NGA

Financial
intelligence|

* Argentina: UIF
* Australia: AUSTRAC
* Azerbaijan: MMX
* Bangladesh: FIU
* Brazil: COAF
* Canada: FINTRAC
* Fiji: FIU
* France: Tracfin, DNRED
* Iceland: SR
* India: CEIB
* Indonesia: PPATK
* Ireland: GNECB
* Italy: UIF
* Lithuania (FNTT)
* Malta: FIAU
* Mexico: UIF
* Netherlands: FIOD
* Poland: GIIF, SCS, CBA
* Qatar: FIU
* Russia: Rosfinmonitoring
* Saudi Arabia: GDOFI
* Spain: SVA, SEPBLAC
* Turkey: MASAK
* United Kingdom: NCA
* United States: TFI, FinCEN
* Vatican: ASIF

Criminal
intelligence|

* Argentina: DNIC
* Australia: ACIC
* Bangladesh: CID
* Canada: CISC
* Finland: NBI
* India: CBI
* Indonesia: Baintelkam Polri (id)
* Italy: DIA, DIGOS
* Philippines: NBI, PNP-IG
* Poland: BWiIK KGP, CBŚP, ZOŚ KGSG, ZK KGŻW
* Romania:  DGPI
* South Africa: Crime Intelligence Division
* Spain: CGI, SIGC, CGPJ, UCO
* United Kingdom: NCA

Intelligence
alliances|

* Club de Berne
* Five Eyes
* Maximator
* Egmont Group

Related
topics|

* Espionage (List of intelligence agencies)
* Leaks
* Diplomatic cable leaks
* NSA leaks
* CIA leaks
* Great Firewall of China
* Mass surveillance in China
* Law enforcement
* Interpol
* Security agency
* Surveillance
* Big Brother
* Call detail record
* Carnivore
* Dishfire
* ECHELON
* PRISM
* Stone Ghost
* Turbulence (NSA programme)
* National security
* Surveillance issues in smart cities

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