Syria arrests air force chief who bombed his own family home

Syrian authorities on Tuesday arrested Major General Abdul Wahab Othman, the commander of operations at Hama Military Airport under the fallen regime of Bashar al-Assad.

Othman, originally from the town of Kafranbel in the Idlib province, reportedly ordered the bombing of his family home in the town, a centre of protest against the Assad regime, to prove his absolute loyalty during the country’s 14-year conflict.

While no information was provided regarding the circumstances or location of his arrest, Othman is currently under investigation to determine the extent of his involvement in other crimes, as his judicial case moves forward, the Syrian news website Zaman al-Wasl reported.

Othman previously served as deputy commander of the Unified Northern Command, located near the Air Force Roundabout north of Hama.

He was promoted by the Assad regime in 2019, due to his service in the war, which included the bombing of large areas of civilian neighbourhoods and the civil infrastructure of towns and cities. 

Throughout the Syrian revolution, Assad’s regime relied heavily on pilots known in Syria as “Death Ravens” to bomb and devastate cities and towns that rose up against his rule. Othman is alleged to have been one of the leading commanders of these bombing squadrons. 

Residents from Kafranbel have demanded that Othman face justice publicly in the town square, due to the immense suffering caused to local families by the raids he commanded from the Hama and Abu al-Duhur airbases.

The news of Othman’s arrest has sparked widespread relief among Syrians, with one individual writing, “My brother’s blood is on his hands, and he must be held accountable,” as reported by Zaman al-Wasl.

The small town of Kafranbel, virtually unknown outside of Syria, was liberated from pro-Assad forces by Syrian rebels in 2011, after which it gained global fame for its creative and satirical protests.

Residents have linked his arrest to the recent sectarian violence against Alawites, which the Assad family belongs, pointing out that many of the criminals associated with the former regime are Sunni Muslims.

Abbas Al-Sheikh, who is from Kafranbel said, “This officer is Sunni and from my village—I demand his prosecution.”

Another commentator stated, “God willing, all criminals who supported the oppressive, corrupt regime will be brought to justice, regardless of their sect.”

Another user, Ibn Al-Arabi, added: “He bombed every town and village in the area. He must pay for what he’s done.”

The Syrian interim government has vowed to bring to justice war criminals who fought for the Assad regime during Syria’s devastating civil war.