Iraq denies the presence of Maher al-Assad, brother of the former Syrian president, on its territory

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior denied, on Monday, the presence of Maher al-Assad, brother of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, inside Iraqi territory, saying that this news was “untrue,” amid mounting questions about the disappearance of a number of symbols of the former regime, senior officials, and members of the intelligence and security services. Out of sight.

The spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier General Miqdad Miri, told the Iraqi News Agency “INA” that “the news on social media about the presence of Maher al-Assad’s brother Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad inside Iraqi territory is baseless.

Merry called on the media to be accurate and cautious in reporting news from their official sources.

After the Syrian factions overthrew this Assad. This month, a number of symbols of the former regime, senior officials, and members of the intelligence and security services, including Maher al-Assad, disappeared from sight, as some of them fled outside the country, and others resorted to hiding in their hometowns, according to the Associated Press. Press.

Maher is considered the younger brother of the former president and commander of the 4th Armored Division, which Syrian opposition activists accused of murder, torture, extortion, and drug trafficking, in addition to running its own detention centers. He is subject to US and European sanctions. 

Maher al-Assad disappeared over the weekend, and the factions told the Associated Press that he was able to reach Russia, while 3 sources told Reuters that "Bashar al-Assad did not inform his younger brother Maher of his exit plan" From Damascus. One of them said, “Maher left by helicopter to Iraq and then to Russia.”

Last year, the French authorities issued an international arrest warrant against Maher al-Assad, along with his brother and two army officers, on charges of complicity in committing war crimes. And crimes against humanity, including a chemical attack on the suburbs of Damascus, which was under opposition control in 2013.

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