The Syrian Ministry of Interior has announced that security forces have arrested Ahmad Habib Ali, a former colonel under the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime. The ministry described him as a chemical weapons specialist and one of the key officials responsible for the regime’s clandestine chemical weapons program.
According to the ministry, Ahmad Habib Ali headed Unit 417 of the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC), where he oversaw sarin gas stockpiles and the production of chemical weapons. Preliminary investigations indicate that he supervised the production of around 20 bombs, each carrying 250 kilograms of sarin gas, which were allegedly used in attacks on Syrian cities and towns between 2013 and 2017.
The Ministry of Interior stated that efforts are ongoing to document his other alleged crimes and complete the investigation. Once the process is concluded, his case will be referred to the relevant judicial authorities.