Syria arrests Assad relative over incitement and violence in Latakia

Syrian internal security forces have arrested a relative of former president Bashar al-Assad in connection with recent violence and unrest in the coastal governorate of Latakia, according to official sources.

The Internal Security Forces said Haidar Ali Othman was detained in the town of Qardaha after investigations confirmed his involvement in inciting violence and chaos during recent protests in the area. Authorities accused him of targeting security personnel and public property, as well as issuing sectarian and inflammatory statements that posed a direct threat to civil peace and stability.

Security sources said preliminary investigations revealed that Othman exploited his family ties to his uncle, Imad al-Assad, along with his former position in the military construction department under the previous regime, to facilitate drug trafficking and smuggling networks in coordination with a number of officers.

According to the same sources, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Othman emerged as one of the main instigators against the new authorities. He is accused of delivering speeches that promoted sectarian incitement, calling for the division of the country, and directly encouraging attacks on security forces during the recent unrest in an attempt to destabilise the situation and spread chaos.

The authorities said investigations into the case are ongoing.

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