Promotions in the Syrian army

Lt. Gen. Bashar al-Assad on Saturday issued the list of military promotion in the army and security forces.

News reports in Damascus said the list stated the promotion of Maj. Maher Hafez al-Assad to col. Maj. Gen., Izzat Ismael to Lt. Gen. in the airforce intelligence. The list also stated among sacked officers Lt. Gen. Mustafa al-Tajer, the chairman of " Palestine Branch" of the military intelligence and Col. Mohsin Salman who was leading a military unit in Lebanon and was transferred several months ago to an ordinary military unity in Syria and Lt. Gen. Kamal Youssef in the military intelligence.

During the recent Baath party regional congress which was held in Damascus on June 17 through 20, col. Maher Hafez al-Assad and col. Munaf Tlass( son of the Syrian defense minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass were elected as members of the 90-member central committee in conclusion of the 9th regional congress of the Baath Party.

This is, however, the first list to be issued since Bashar al-Assad was promoted to a Lt. Gen. And after he assumed the post of the leadership of the army and armed forces. Such a list is issued periodically in January and July, every year.