The General Security Directorate in Latakia announced the arrest of Major General Atef Najib, who served as the head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa. His violations against the residents triggered protests that began in the province in 2011.

Mustafa Knaifati, the Director of General Security in Latakia, stated on Friday, January 31, that through a qualitative operation, the General Security Directorate, in cooperation with military forces, managed to arrest Atef Najib.

Knaifati mentioned that Najib is considered involved in committing crimes against the Syrian people. This step is part of the authorities’ efforts to hold accountable those involved in violations against the Syrian people and to enhance security and stability in the region.

Atef Najib has been transferred to the relevant authorities for trial and accountability for his crimes against the Syrian people.

Atef Najib is the cousin of Bashar al-Assad and moved between several branches of the Political Security in Damascus and Tartus before ending up as the head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa before the revolution broke out.

Atef Najib became notorious in 2011 after the start of protests that sparked the revolution, which lasted nearly 14 years in Syria. This was after the arrest of a group of children in Daraa for writing slogans on the walls that referenced Bashar al-Assad, mentioning that change was coming to Syria as well, “Your turn is coming, Doctor.”

After the children’s arrest, dignitaries from Daraa demanded their release, but Atef Najib responded with insults, violations, threats, and degrading their dignity and honor.

In a failed attempt to contain the situation, Bashar al-Assad formed an investigation committee in Daraa but did not dismiss Atef Najib. Instead, he transferred him to the Political Security Branch in Idlib. The investigation committee issued a decision on June 13, 2011, prohibiting him from traveling, along with the then-governor of Daraa, Faisal Kalthoum.

Atef Najib has been on the American sanctions list since April 29, 2011, and on the European sanctions list since May 9, 2011.

Al-Assad’s limited moves regarding his relative did not silence the anger of the street in Daraa, so protests continued. Al-Assad opted for military resolution, sending tanks into the streets of Daraa, with the army responding with live ammunition against protesters, leading to the popular movement spreading to various Syrian provinces, culminating in al-Assad’s ousting on December 8, 2024.

On December 3, 2020, Bashar al-Assad’s regime seized the assets of Atef Najib’s sister, Reem, and her husband, Alaa Ibrahim, former governor of Rural Damascus.