Military Intelligence Directorate (Syria)

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
Jurisdiction Government of Syria
Headquarters Defense Ministry headquarters, Umayyad Square, Damascus, Syria
Agency executives
  • Kifah Moulhem (2019–present), Director
  • Kamal Hassan (2023–present), Deputy Director
Parent agency Military of Syria

The Military Intelligence Directorate (MID; Arabic: شعبة المخابرات العسكرية, romanized: Shu'bat al-Mukhabarat al-'Askariyya) is the military intelligence service of Syria. 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.

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. During the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, the Mukhabarat exercised political authority in Lebanon.

Directors

  • Deputy Director: Ali Duba (1971–1973)
  • Abdel-Fatah Qudsiyeh (July 2009–July 2012)
  • Rafiq Shahadah (July 2012–March 2015)
  • Mohamed Mahala (March 2015–July 2019)
    • Deputy Director: Kifah Moulhem (March 2015–July 2019)
  • Kifah Moulhem (July 2019–Present)
    • Deputy Director: Kamal Hassan (July 2023–present)

Regional Directors

  • 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.
  • Damascus (branch 291): Brig. Gen. Yousef Abdou (2012) accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity.
  • Damascus (branch 291): Brig. Gen. Burhan Qadour (past–2012) accused of ordering or committing crimes against humanity.
  • Hama city branch: Mohammad Mufleh (2011), the European Union sanctioned him for being involved in the crackdown on demonstrators during the Syrian uprising.
  • Deir ez-Zor branch: Jami Jami (2011), the European Union sanctioned him for being directly involved in repression and violence against the civilian population in Dayr az-Zor and alboukamal 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.
  • Daraa (branch 245): Col. Lu'ai al-Ali (2011), 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: Wafiq Nasser (2011), head of regional branch assumed position after Brig. Gen. Suheir Ramadan.
  • Aleppo branch: Muhammad Duba (1974-1979)

Paramilitary units

Other Syrian intelligence agencies