HOMS, Syria

Shuja al-Ali, a former high-ranking official in the Assad regime and notorious leader of the Shabiha militia, was killed in fighting with security forces in Homs province in western Syria.

Known for his involvement in brutal attacks and mass killings, Ali died in a skirmish between regime loyalists and Syrian security forces, which also resulted in casualties on both sides.

As Syrian security forces continued search operations in Homs, a confrontation broke out in the rural areas between government troops and armed elements loyal to the ousted regime.

Ali, one of the most prominent figures of the regime’s military apparatus, was killed in the fighting, which led to the death of two security personnel and left ten others wounded.

Responsible for atrocities as head of Shabiha militia

Ali played a central role in organizing and leading the Shabiha militia, a group notorious for carrying out brutal attacks in support of the regime.

He started his violent activities in 2012 and quickly gained support from Hezbollah.

Ali became one of the key figures responsible for some of the most horrific massacres in Syria, especially in Homs. He was involved in the killing, kidnapping and torture of civilians, particularly those with ties to opposition groups.

He was most notorious for actions along the Syria-Lebanon border.

His name became widely known after the massacre in Hula in 2012, where dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed.

In the following years, Ali strengthened his connections with Iran and received significant support from Syria’s Military Security in Homs.

Ali also recruited criminals from prisons, using them under the guise of conscription, to carry out violence and atrocities during the war.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul