Kathmandu— Lebanese authorities arrested Major-General Adel Issa, a former Syrian army official, in Beirut on Friday after his presence was flagged during a routine visit to the Syrian embassy. The former commander, who served under the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, is currently being held at the Beirut Palace of Justice while officials determine whether to extradite him to Syria to face accusations related to his military service.

Arrest Following Embassy Visit

The arrest occurred after Issa visited the Syrian embassy in Beirut to complete paperwork. Embassy staff identified him as a wanted individual and alerted Lebanon’s prosecutor’s office, prompting investigators from the Central Criminal Investigation Department to take him into custody.

During questioning, the 67-year-old admitted to entering Lebanon illegally following the collapse of the al-Assad regime, though he reportedly denied all other wrongdoing.

Military Career and Background

Issa held significant military positions during the Syrian conflict. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, he once commanded Syria’s 17th Division before being reassigned in 2015 to lead ground forces in Deir Az Zour province near the Iraqi border, a role he maintained until his retirement in late 2016.

Broader Reckoning in Syria

The detention comes amid a wider period of accountability in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024. Since the regime collapsed, many former officials fled to Lebanon, where some remain in hiding.

This case is part of a broader reckoning with the al-Assad era, during which dozens of former security officials accused of abuses have been arrested and tried. This includes the trial of al-Assad’s cousin, Atef Najib, who faces charges related to his role in triggering the 2011 uprising.

Lebanese authorities are expected to wait until Monday for formal charges from Damascus before deciding on the extradition, as Lebanon's public prosecutor has requested the official extradition file from Syrian counterparts.

(With inputs from (manual retry))

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.