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Turkish citizen appointed commander of Syrian army division amid loyalty concerns

Syrian sources report that Omar Jafateshi, a Turkish citizen, has been appointed commander of the 62nd Division in the Syrian army, replacing Mohammad al-Jassem (Abu Amsha). The move aims to strengthen loyalty to the regime and President Ahmad al-Shara, as soldiers were reportedly more loyal to their former commander than to the army. The 62nd Division, routinely stationed in Hama Governorate, has been linked to massacres of Alawites in Latakia and Druze in southern Syria last year. The replacement sparked heightened alert yesterday over fears of a rebellion. Official Syrian sources have not commented.