Saleh al-Abdullah
Saleh al-Abdullah | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1967 Taiba, Safita, Syria |
| Occupation | Military officer |
| Years active | 1980s–2024 |
| Known for | Commander of the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, former leader of Tiger Forces and 30th Division |
Saleh al-Abdullah (; born 1967), known by the moniker The Lion, is a former Syrian military officer who led the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, an elite special forces unit previously called the Tiger Forces, from April 2024 until the fall of the Assad regime. Before this, he commanded the 30th Division between 2022 and 2024, oversaw the Security and Military Committee in Aleppo from 2023 to 2024, and had been in charge of the Russian-backed 16th Brigade since 2020.
Al-Abdullah's military journey began in the 1980s with the 7th Division after completing his education at Homs Military Academy. Throughout the Syrian civil war, he was involved in significant military engagements within Daraa and Hama Governorate. In 2015, he was elevated to assistant to Suhayl al-Hasan and appointed Operations Officer of the Tiger Forces, where he coordinated troop movements during campaigns such as Operation Northern Storm and the Dawn of Idlib offensive.
Early life
Born in Taiba, Safita, in 1967 into an Alawite family, he enrolled at the Homs Military Academy in 1985. After graduation, he was assigned to the 7th Division of the Syrian Arab Army, which was stationed in Rif Dimashq Governorate. At the onset of the Syrian revolution in March 2011, he held the rank of colonel and commanded the 244th Battalion within the 121st Mechanized Brigade of the 7th Division.
Daraa and Hama Governorates (2011)
During the Siege of Daraa, al-Abdullah took part in assaulting Al-Omari Mosque in Daraa, where many demonstrators were killed or detained. He continued leading storming operations throughout Daraa Governorate until July 2011, when his battalion was redeployed to Hama. There, on 31 July, he engaged in a military assault on the city that resulted in approximately 95 civilian fatalities along with numerous injuries.
Hama Governorate (2011–2016)
In 2012, he assumed leadership of the Security and Military Committee based in Maharda, operating out of Saint George's Monastery. His command extended to operations across various villages within Hama Governorate, including but not limited to Halfaya, Kafr Nabudah, Karnaz, Al-Lataminah, Kafr Zita, and Suran. According to Pro Justice, responsibility for several massacres carried out by Assad regime forces between 2012 and 2016—occurring in locations such as Al-Qubeir, Tremseh, Halfaya, Al-Jalamah, Maarzaf, Al-Lataminah, and Kafr Zita—has been attributed to him.
Homs, Aleppo, and Idlib Governorates (2014–2016)
On 20 March 2014, al-Abdullah participated in the Battle of Hosn within western Homs Governorate, supporting government troops in reclaiming control over both Al-Zarah and the historic fortress of the Krak des Chevaliers. He directed military campaigns during the protracted Battle of Aleppo, including involvement in both Operation Northern Storm and Operation Canopus Star. Additionally, he engaged in combat operations during the 2015 Battle of Idlib, took part in the 2015 Jisr al-Shughur offensive, as well as contributing to efforts during the 2016 Khanasir offensive.
Operations Officer of the Tiger Forces (2015–2018)
In 2015, al-Abdullah was named deputy to Suhayl al-Hasan, the leader of the distinguished Tiger Forces, which was rebranded in August 2019, and assumed the role of Operations Officer. He received a promotion to brigadier general on 1 January 2016, earning the moniker "The Lion". His active involvement spanned several major engagements, such as the concluding offensive in Aleppo in November 2016, the 2016 Latakia offensive, the 2017 East Aleppo offensive, the 2017 Southern Raqqa offensive, the September–November 2017 Deir ez-Zor offensive, Operation Damascus Steel, and the Operation Basalt.
Northwestern Syria offensive (2019–2020)
During the Dawn of Idlib campaign, al-Abdullah played a pivotal role by directing the deployment and tactical operations of the Tiger Forces within Hama Governorate. On 21 June 2019, security official Jamil Hassan conducted an inspection of his frontline positions and commended his command. He further oversaw the 25th Division’s military activities throughout and following the Dawn of Idlib 2 operation in 2020.
Commander of the 16th Brigade (2020–2021)
In June 2020, al-Abdullah was appointed to lead the newly established 16th Brigade, a Russian-supported military unit operating in Aleppo Governorate. His former position as Suhayl al-Hasan’s deputy was succeeded by Yunis Muhammad.
By February 2021, he coordinated the deployment of reinforcements from the 16th Brigade near Al-Bab, an opposition-controlled city, working alongside troops from the 25th Division.
Later that year, in late August 2021, he directed the positioning of 16th Brigade forces during the 2021 Daraa offensive. This involved collaboration with the 4th Armoured Division and management of military reinforcement convoys.
Military promotions (2021–2024)
In February 2021, Brigadier General Dmitry Valerievich Glushchenkov presented him with second-class Russian army medals and honors. On 21 July 2022, he faced European Union sanctions for his involvement in recruiting fighters for the 16th Brigade to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
By October 2022, he advanced to command the 30th Division after serving as its deputy commander since July that year. His promotion to major general followed in January 2023. In October 2023, he assumed leadership of Aleppo Governorate’s Security and Military Committee, replacing Nizar Younes.
On 9 April 2024, al-Abdullah was appointed to command the 25th Special Mission Forces Division, taking over from Suhayl al-Hasan. Mohammad Salman Saftli succeeded him in his previous roles within both the 30th Division and Security Committee.
Syrian Desert campaign (June–August 2024)
Amidst ongoing operations during the Syrian Desert campaign in June 2024, al-Abdullah led a joint mission involving the 25th Division and Russian forces aimed at countering Islamic State (ISIS) assaults across the Syrian Desert. On 4 October 2024, under his command, the division initiated a new offensive targeting areas in eastern Homs and southern Raqqa Governorate.
Nevertheless, according to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Russian forces ceased combing operations prematurely in October due to apprehensions about a potential offensive originating from Idlib Governorate against Assad regime positions. Following this development, on 11 October, al-Abdullah visited western rural Aleppo Governorate to supervise troop deployments.
Northwestern Syria offensive (2024)
During Operation Deterrence of Aggression, which was orchestrated by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, he led the 25th Division in the 2024 Battle of Aleppo. On the nights of 28 and 29 November, he participated in a confidential meeting at Kuweires Military Airbase alongside Chief of Staff Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim and Sergey Kisel. As reported by Middle East Eye, by 29 November he had reached the outskirts of Aleppo with Suhayl al-Hasan to strengthen key positions such as Al-Nayrab Airport, before retreating to Hama to organize defensive measures.
According to New Lines Magazine, a conflict arose between al-Abdullah and al-Hasan regarding command over Aleppo’s military operations, corroborated by text messages extracted from seized regime mobile phones cited by Alpheratz Magazine. Analyst Gregory Waters indicates that following Aleppo’s capture, al-Abdullah was removed from his post on 2 December due to inadequate division management, replaced by al-Hasan, and was possibly detained.
Since the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, his location has not been disclosed.