Kathmandu— In the wake of Syria's government falling to armed opposition in December 2024, many members of the former regime fled the country, with a significant number finding refuge in neighboring Lebanon. Now, as the new Syrian government seeks international cooperation to pursue and extradite these officials for alleged war crimes committed during the 2011 uprising, Lebanon—once considered a safe haven due to existing connections with Hezbollah and within its military—is beginning to comply with extradition requests, starting with the recent arrest of former major general Adel Issa.

Shifting Dynamics After Assad’s Fall

Following Bashar al-Assad's flight to Moscow in December 2024, top officials and military commanders from his regime were left scrambling for escape routes. Many reportedly crossed into Lebanon, where they initially enjoyed protection through established ties with Hezbollah or figures within the Lebanese military—connections often forged during Syria’s decades-long occupation of Lebanon, which ended in 2005. However, this sense of security is rapidly eroding as the Syrian government actively seeks their return to face justice.

Extradition Efforts and Recent Arrests

Judge Mustafa al-Qassem, an aide to the Syrian Justice Minister, stated that Syria is working to strengthen international judicial cooperation in order to pursue former regime members and bring them back for legal proceedings. The recent arrest of Adel Issa, a former major general in al-Assad’s army, marks a significant shift; Lebanese authorities reportedly acted on information from the Syrian embassy. A top Lebanese prosecutor announced that Issa will be extradited to Syria to stand trial for alleged crimes committed during his military service.

High-Profile Cases and International Implications

Last week, Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher, and cousin Atef Najib were sentenced to death in absentia by a Damascus court. While the Assad brothers’ exile in Russia likely shields them from extradition, the case highlights the broader issue of regime figures remaining in Lebanon and their potential return to Syria. Jamil al-Hassan, former head of the Air Force Intelligence Directorate, is believed to be residing in Lebanon, prompting calls for his arrest and extradition from both Syria and France. Bassam al-Hassan, a former Republican Guard commander responsible for procuring weapons and involvement with Syria’s chemical weapons program, was also tracked down in Beirut last year.

Hezbollah's Role and Regional Concerns

Sources indicate that many former regime officials are now concentrated in Tripoli’s Jabal Mohsen neighborhood or the Akkar region of northern Lebanon. While some have fled to third countries or been smuggled back into Syria, others initially established training camps in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, which were later shut down by Hezbollah and the Lebanese army. Naim Qassem, Hezbollah leader, recently expressed openness to dialogue with Syria's new leadership, acknowledging their shared history during the Syrian war. Nanar Hawach, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted that “Russia shelters the family and its fortunes while so far declining to fund a restoration [of the al-Assad regime], and Hezbollah, under disarmament pressure, needs calm with Damascus more than it needs a [battle on the] Syrian front.”

Legal Challenges and Human Rights Concerns

Lebanon’s recent abolition of capital punishment complicates the extradition process given that Syria still applies the death penalty. Wadih al-Asmar, cofounder of the Lebanese Centre for Human Rights, argues that the Lebanese judiciary has a duty to prosecute some of these figures due to crimes committed during the Syrian occupation. He also stated that Lebanon cannot legally send individuals back to countries where they face the death penalty, suggesting that Syria’s abolition of capital punishment is necessary to resolve this issue.

The extradition of Adel Issa sets a precedent for further cooperation between Lebanon and Syria regarding former regime officials, though legal and human rights concerns remain central to the process. The situation highlights the complex interplay of regional politics and international law as both countries navigate their evolving relationship.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.