Amid unconfirmed reports of his escape from Syria | Regime security services arrest affiliates and cronies close to a “warlord” in Damascus

Reliable sources have informed the Syrian Observatory that regime security services have arrested several cronies close to a “warlord” known as “Abu Ali Khedr,” after storming their houses in Al-Mazzah neighbourhood in Damascus a few days ago. The sources told SOHR that the security campaign also targeted “Abu Ali Khedr” who was not at his house during the campaign. There are conflict reports suggesting that the “warlord” has fled from Syria or hides and is protected by members of the Fourth Division, as he is one of the officials administrating the division’s financial business.

 

According to SOHR sources, the regime security services has turned to arrest “Abu Ali Khedr” to polish the regime government’s image in front of regime supporters and show the Syrian regime fighting corruption. Such efforts coincides with the current economy hardship in Syria with Bashar Al-Assad clinging only to power.

 

It is worth noting that “Abu Ali Khedr” is from Safita area in Tartous province, and he is known as “Amir Al-Maaber” (the Prince of Crossings/checkpoints) because he has broad influence over security checkpoints because of his strong ties with the Fourth Division. “Khedr” runs the financial affairs at the Forth Division’s checkpoints, where he imposes levies on people, traders and industrialists at each checkpoint. Moreover, he monopolises the importation of many goods, such as infant formula, foodstuffs, clothing, tobacco and alcoholic beverages. “Khedr” also blackmails factory owners in Syria by forcing them to buy raw materials from his companies and cronies close to him.