Syria Military Intelligence Directorate

Although its roots go back to the French mandate period (1923–1946), its current organization was established in 1969. Its predecessor organisation was called the Deuxième Bureau (the Second Bureau). It is headquartered at the Defense Ministry in Damascus.

Military Intelligence Directorate

شعبة المخابرات العسكرية أو الأمن العسكري Shu'bat al-Mukhabarat al-'Askariyya
Agency overview
Formed	1946 (current form in 1969)
Preceding agency	Deuxième Bureau
Jurisdiction	Government of Syria
Headquarters	Defense Ministry headquarters, Umayyad Square, Damascus, Syria
Agency executives	Kamal Hassan (2024–present), Director Mufid Khadour (2024–present), Deputy Director
Parent agency	Military of Syria

The military intelligence service, or the Mukhabarat in Arabic, is very influential in Syrian politics and is controlled by the President, Bashar al-Assad through the National Security Bureau of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party Regional Command. It is suspected of providing support to different radical groups. The service also monitors opponents of the government outside Syria. MID is both a foreign intelligence and a military security/counterintelligence service. MID is responsible for providing intelligence on foreign and internal threats to the Government of Syria and the Syrian Armed Forces. During the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, the Mukhabarat exercised political authority in Lebanon.

• Ahmed Suidani (1963–1965)
• Ali Zaza (1965–1970)

• Deputy Director: Hikmat al-Shihabi (1968–1970)

• Hikmat al-Shihabi (1970–1973)

• Deputy Director: Ali Duba (1971–1973)

• Ali Duba (1973–2000)

• Deputy Director: Hassan Khalil (1993–2000)

• Hassan Khalil (2000–2005)

• Deputy Director: Assef Shawkat (2000–2005)

• Assef Shawkat (2005–2009)

• Deputy Director: Saeed Sammour (2005–2009)

• Abdel-Fatah Qudsiyeh (July 2009–July 2012)

• Head of Internal Affairs (branch 293): Rafiq Shahadah (2011)

• Rafiq Shahadah (July 2012–March 2015)
• Mohamed Mahala (March 2015–March 2019)

• Deputy Director: Kifah Moulhem (March 2015–March 2019)

• Kifah Moulhem (March 2019–18 January 2024)

• Deputy Director: Kamal Hassan (July 2023–18 January 2024)

• Kamal Hassan (18 January 2024–present)

• Deputy Director: Mufid Khadour (18 January 2024–present)

Regional Directors

• Rif Dimashq (Branch 227):
  • Lt. Gen. Rustum Ghazali (2005–25 July 2012), the European Union sanctioned him for being involved in violence against the civilian population during the Syrian uprising. Accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity by Human Rights Watch.
  • Brig. Gen. Kamal Hassan (2020–2023)
• Damascus (Branch 215):
  • Brig. Gen. Sha'afiq (2012) accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity.
• Damascus (Branch 235 a.k.a. "Palestine Branch"):
  • Brig. Gen. Muhammad Khallouf (2012) accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity.
  • Brig. Gen. Kamal Hassan (2017–2020)
• Damascus (Branch 248): Brig. Gen. Yousef Abdou (2012) accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity.
• Damascus (Branch 290): Brig. Gen. Wafiq Nasser (2017–2018)
• Damascus (Branch 291): Brig. Gen. Burhan Qadour (past–2012) accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity.
• Hama (Branch 219):
  • Mohammad Mufleh (2011), the European Union sanctioned him for being involved in the crackdown on demonstrators during the Syrian uprising.
  • Brig. Gen. Wafiq Nasser (2018–2020)
  • Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Abbas (2021–present)
• Deir ez-Zor branch:
  • Jameh Jameh (2011–2013), the European Union sanctioned him for being directly involved in repression and violence against the civilian population in Deir ez-Zor and Abu Kamal during the Syrian uprising.
• Idlib (Branch 271):
  • Brig. Gen. Nawful Al-Husayn (2011), the European Union sanctioned him for being directly involved in repression and violence against the civilian population in Idlib province during the Syrian uprising. Accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity.
• Homs branch:
  • Muhammed Zamrini (2011), the European Union sanctioned him for being directly involved in repression and violence against the civilian population in Homs during the Syrian uprising. Accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity.
  • Brig. Gen. Emad Mayhoub (2020–present)
• Tartus city branch:
  • Brig. Gen. Emad Mayhoub (2018–2020)
• Daraa (Branch 245):
  • Brig. Gen. Lu'ai al-Ali (2011–present), the European Union sanctioned him for being responsible for the violence against protesters in Daraa during the Syrian uprising. Accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity.
• Suwayda branch:
  • Brig. Gen. Wafiq Nasser (2011–2017), head of regional branch assumed position after Brig. Gen. Suheir Ramadan.
• Aleppo branch:
  • Muhammad Duba (1974–1979)
  • Brig. Gen. Wafiq Nasser (2020–present)

• Military Security Shield Forces
  • Military Security Falcons
  • Southern Shield Brigade
• Al-Assad Shield Forces
• Desert Commandos Regiment
  • Lions of Hamidiya
• Forces of the Fighters of the Tribes
• Popular Resistance of the Eastern Region
• Syrian Resistance
  • Falcons of the Jazira and Euphrates

• Air Force Intelligence Directorate
• General Intelligence Directorate
• Political Security Directorate