Military Intelligence Directorate (Syria)
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شعبة المخابرات العسكرية Shu'bat al-Mukhabarat al-'Askariyya |
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1969 |
| Preceding agency | |
| Jurisdiction | President of Syria |
| Headquarters |
Defense Ministry headquarters, Umayyad Square, Damascus, Syria 33°30′50.58″N 36°16′42.58″E / 33.5140500°N 36.2784944°ECoordinates: 33°30′50.58″N 36°16′42.58″E / 33.5140500°N 36.2784944°E |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Military of Syria |
The Military Intelligence Directorate (Arabic: شعبة المخابرات العسكرية, Shu'bat al-Mukhabarat al-'Askariyya) is the military intelligence service of Syria. Although its roots go back to the French mandate period (1923–1943), its current organization was established in 1969. Its predecessor organisation was called the Deuxième Bureau (the Second Bureau). It is headquartered at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Damascus.
The military intelligence service, or the Mukhabarat in Arabic, is very influential in Syrian politics and is controlled by the President. It is suspected of providing support to different radical groups. Additionally, the service monitors dissidents of the government outside Syria. During the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, the Mukhabarat exercised political authority in Lebanon.
Late Assef Shawqat, the brother-in-law of Bashar Al-Assad, became director in 2005 replacing General Hassan Khalil. From 2009 to 2012, the military intelligence service was headed by Abdel-Fatah Qudsiyeh.
In January 2016 the Military Intelligence Directorate's branch 223 formed its own paramilitary unit, the Military Security Shield Forces.
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