Ghyath Dallah’s Return: A New Chapter in Syria’s Military Struggle
Former Assad Loyalist Forms "Military Council for the Liberation of Syria" Amid Escalating Tensions in Coastal Region.
Watan-The name of Brigadier General Ghyath Dallah has resurfaced in the Syrian public’s attention following the escalation of fighting in coastal Syria, with reports of military movements and his announcement of the formation of the “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria.” This has led to accusations of an attempted coup against the new administration in Damascus.
Dallah, who is associated with the 4th Division under the leadership of Maher al-Assad, was one of the prominent leaders behind repressive operations against armed opposition groups and civilians throughout the Syrian revolution.
Dallah hails from the town of Bayt Yashoot in the countryside of Latakia and emerged in the Syrian army as one of Maher al-Assad’s most powerful allies. He led major operations in areas like Eastern Ghouta and the Damascus countryside. Dallah was directly responsible for the massacres in Daraya and Moadamiya al-Sham, where thousands were killed during prolonged siege and repression operations.
He also participated in the Battle of Mleiha, which ended in the complete destruction of the town, and led forced displacement operations in the Qaboun district, where he imposed a siege and heavy bombardment to force the population to leave.
Ghyath Dallah’s Resurgence: Shaping the Future of Syria’s Military Landscape
In 2017, Dallah formed the “Al-Ghaith” militia, which played a key role in the battles in Damascus and its countryside. He recruited fighters from Hezbollah and the Imam Hussein Brigade, outfitting them in Syrian military uniforms to conceal Iranian influence in military operations.
The militia used heavy weaponry and devastating missiles in the battles in Harasta, displacing over 150,000 civilians. Dallah also played a major role in the 2018 battle in Quneitra and the “Triangle of Death,” where he worked to eliminate the Free Syrian Army factions in southern Syria.
Ghyath Dallah’s Return: A New Military Shift in Post-Assad Syria
After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Dallah disappeared from the public eye. However, his recent appearance through a statement issued by the “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria” has raised questions, particularly since the statement took a more aggressive tone, vowing to overthrow the new regime and confront what he called “occupiers.”
While Syrian authorities assert that these movements serve external agendas, reports indicate that Dallah is seeking to rebuild military alliances, capitalizing on his strong ties with Iranian-backed militias still active in Syria.
The timing of Dallah’s announcement to form the Military Council raises many questions, especially with the escalating confrontations between forces vying for influence in coastal Syria.
Is Dallah moving with Iranian cover to reshape the conflict’s landscape, or is he attempting to solidify a new foothold in Syria by recruiting from the collapsing army? And how will the new administration respond to his actions? The coming days may provide answers to these questions, but what is certain is that Ghyath Dallah has not left the Syrian military scene. Instead, he is returning with force at a time of immense sensitivity and complexity.
