Syrian Forces Eliminate Senior Assad-Era Commander Firas Hammoud During Raid in Safita

Syrian security forces killed a high-ranking military officer from the former Bashar Al Assad regime during a raid in the city of Safita, state television reported on Sunday. Firas Hammoud was neutralized after opening fire on anti-terrorism and security personnel who stormed his hideout in the western Syrian city, located in the Tartus governorate.

A Syrian official recently revealed that authorities have prepared prosecution files for 6,000 members of the former regime. Hammoud served as a commander in the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, also known as Tiger Forces, which played a major role in past military offensives under Bashar Al Assad with Russian backing.

Following the fall of Bashar Al Assad in December 2024, Hammoud led remnants of the former regime and other outlaws in the Syrian coast. State television reported that he orchestrated armed mutinies, targeted state compounds, and sought to form insurgent groups before being killed by security forces.