Hossam Mohammad Louka (Arabic: حسام محمد لوقا; born 1964) is a senior Syrian intelligence officer currently serving as the director of the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate. With a long career in Syrian security services, Louka has played a key role in Syria's intelligence community, notably during the Syrian civil war. He is known for his involvement in various security and intelligence operations within Syria and has held multiple leadership roles in the country's intelligence apparatus.[1]
Hossam Louka | |
|---|---|
حسام لوقا | |
| Director of the General Intelligence Directorate | |
| Assumed office 7 July 2019 | |
| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Prime Minister | Imad Khamis Hussein Arnous Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali |
| Preceded by | Mohammed Dib Zaitoun |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1964 (age 59–60) Khanasir, Aleppo Governorate, Syria |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Syria |
| Branch/service |  General Intelligence Directorate |
| Years of service | 1984– |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | General Intelligence Directorate Political Security Directorate |
| Battles/wars | Syrian Civil War |
Early life
editLouka was born in 1964, in town of Khanasir in the Aleppo Governorate to the Syrian Circassian family. After secondary education, Louka enrolled in the Homs Military Academy to become a military officer. He graduated in 1984 and served at the Ministry of Interior as a lieutenant in Aleppo.
He rose up the ranks in the Public Security Police and when he was promoted to the rank of colonel, he transferred to the Political Security Directorate, whose role was very limited in comparison with the other intelligence services of Syria. He served at the Aleppo Political Security Branch, where he became in charge of the Afrin Political Security Branch, before he was transferred to Damascus, where he held several positions in the city and the countryside.[2]
Career
editLouka's career within Syrian intelligence spans decades, involving numerous key roles in various branches of Syria's security services. Prior to his current position, Louka held leadership roles in several branches of Syrian intelligence.[2] In 2004, Louka was sent to Homs to take up the position of deputy head of the Political Security Branch, and later the head of the branch.[2]
Louka played a critical role in Syrian intelligence activities during the civil war, which began in 2011. Between 2011 and 2015, his leadership in political security branches in Homs and Hama during the conflict led to his involvement in counter-insurgency operations, domestic and foreign intelligence gathering, and coordination with other Syrian security branches.[2] His role in overseeing the response to opposition groups, protests and local reconciliations has drawn significant scrutiny and criticism from international human rights organizations.[2]
Between 2018 and 2019, he was director of Syria's Political Security Directorate, a branch responsible for overseeing internal security and surveillance.[3][4] In 2019, Hossam Louka was appointed as the director of the General Intelligence Directorate (GID), one of Syria's most powerful security agencies. The GID, responsible for domestic and foreign intelligence operations, reports directly to Syria's leadership and is instrumental in monitoring opposition activity, managing security operations, and coordinating with regional allies.[2] Between 2020 and 2021, he was head of the Security Committee in Daraa, which was responsible to restore law and order in the governorate after March 2020 Daraa clashes and 2021 Daraa offensive.[5]
As the head of GID, Louka oversees intelligence operations critical to Syria's internal stability, diplomatic security, and counter-terrorism efforts. His role in this position reinforces his status as a key player within the country's intelligence and military establishment.[6]
Personal life
editLouka is a Sunni Muslim of Circassian origins.[7]
Louka has been subject to international sanctions by the United States, the European Union, and other entities due to his alleged involvement in human rights abuses, suppression of political opposition, and actions during the Syrian civil war. These sanctions typically freeze his assets and restrict travel, while underscoring the international community's stance on his role within Syria's controversial intelligence operations.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Italia-Siria, il capo dell'Aise ha visitato Damasco?". 5 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Who's Who: Major General Husam Muhammad Louka - The Syrian Observer". 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "والدها مدرج بقائمة العقوبات.. الأمم المتحدة توظف ابنة رئيس مخابرات بشار الأسد في أحد مكاتبها". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Spy chief's daughter highlights UN's tangle". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "New strategy to empty Daraa of opposition fighters". Enab Baladi. March 21, 2020.
- ^ "Romanian Intelligence Chief Visits Syria, Meets Bashar al-Assad with a Message - The Syrian Observer". 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Monday Briefing: Strengthening Egypt's ties with Africa". Middle East Institute. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ "Sanctions List Search". sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-31.