Who is Anis Khataab, the New Head of Syrian Intelligence?
Sanctioned by the UN Security Council – From General Security to Syrian Intelligence, “Abu Ahmed Hudood” Steps Up
The Syrian Military Operations Directorate announced today the appointment of Anis Khataab as the head of the General Intelligence Directorate in Syria.
Anis Hassan Khataab’s name was included in the UN Security Council sanctions list in September
2014, accused of financing activities and operations of “Jabhat al-Nusra”.
According to the official UN website, Khataab became the administrative emir of Jabhat al-Nusra
in 2014, having previously been a member of the group’s Shura Council.
Khataab is considered one of the founders of Jabhat al-Nusra in 2012 and played a significant role
in facilitating funding and arming the front, according to sources.
Known as “Abu Ahmed Hudood”, Khataab headed the General Security apparatus of “Hay’at
Tahrir al-Sham” (HTS) and was the deputy to the group’s general official, Ahmed al-Sharqawi. He
hails from the town of “Jayrud” in the Damascus countryside.
Today, the new head of Syrian intelligence appeared alongside Ahmed al-Sharqawi and Syrian
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani during the reception of Hamoud al-Shatri, head of the Iraqi
Intelligence Service.
