Shocking Arrest: Bashar Al-Assad's Cousin Who Led Brutal 2011 Crackdown Finally Captured
In a surprising turn of events, Syria's new leadership has announced the arrest of Atif Najib, a cousin of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Najib, who was once a key figure in the regime's security apparatus, is accused of leading a brutal crackdown on rebels in Daraa in 2011, the birthplace of the uprising that eventually led to the fall of the Assad regime. This significant arrest marks the highest-profile detainment since Assad’s government was toppled by Islamist-led fighters in December.


According to state-run SANA news agency, Najib was taken into custody on Friday in the coastal city of Latakia. A senior security official confirmed the arrest, and reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based war monitoring group, also confirmed the news. Najib, who previously served as the head of political security in Daraa, is accused of being directly responsible for the deadly violence that took place during the crackdown against peaceful protests in 2011.
The uprising in Daraa began on March 15, 2011, after 15 students were arrested for allegedly scrawling anti-government slogans on the city’s walls. When the students were reportedly tortured, protests broke out, demanding their release. The peaceful demonstrations quickly turned violent, with Najib’s security forces accused of using excessive force, which led to the death of several civilians. Najib, widely blamed for the harsh response, was promptly removed from his position following the incident and was sanctioned by the US Treasury.
The Syrian government, now under the leadership of new figures following Assad’s downfall, has vowed to hold Najib accountable for the crimes he committed against the Syrian people. In a statement, SANA declared that Najib would be tried and face justice for his role in the crackdown.
This development comes just weeks after the fall of Assad's regime and the appointment of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as interim president of Syria. The new leadership has made it clear that accountability for past crimes remains a priority, with hopes for a national dialogue and the formation of a transitional government in the near future.