“BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:10 P.M.) – The prominent Syrian Arab Army (SAA) officer, Major General Issam Zahreddine, was killed today in Deir Ezzor after his convoy struck a land mine planted by the Islamic State (ISIS). According to a military source, General Zahreddine was conducting a special operation at Saqr Island in Deir Ezzor, when his vehicle struck the land mine.
General Zahreddine was the commander of the elite 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard that heroically fought off the Islamic State (ISIS) for several years, while under siege and under supplied.The General was born in rural Sweida village of Tarba and was 56 years old at the time of his death."
"The body of the late Major General Zahreddine has arrived in Damascus after being flown from the Deir Ezzor as Governorate in eastern Syria. While full details about his funeral have not been released, it is believed that his body will be transported to his ancestral village of Tarba in the Al-Sweida Governorate.” (Al Masdar News)
*************************
I have to admit that a tear came to my eye as I put this together. I developed a professional affection for that big bull of a Druze as I read about his exploits over the last few years. Rather than attempt a fitting eulogy, I chose to leave you with the words of Issam Zahreddine’s favorite saying of Imam Ali. It is said that Issam followed these words as his motto.
May his deep laughter be heard throughout all Syria and beyond as his beloved land is fully liberated and his vile enemies are crushed.
TTG
وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ
Posted by: LG | 18 October 2017 at 11:57 AM
He was killed on Sakhr island, this place is a fortress, can anyone explain to me what about it makes it so? ISIS bashed their heads against it again and again losing countless men before it fell piecemeal. SAA are having a tough time at it too even with it being surrounded. RIP
Posted by: Serge | 18 October 2017 at 12:05 PM
TTG,
Amen.
Nightsticker
USMC 65-72
FBI 72-96
Posted by: Nightsticker | 18 October 2017 at 12:06 PM
LG
Translation - "Do not count those who were killed in the way of Allah dead, but live with their Lord, they will live" pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 18 October 2017 at 12:13 PM
Serge,
Any place, if heavily mined and even lightly defended, is tough to take.
Posted by: The Twisted Genius | 18 October 2017 at 12:21 PM
I present my respect to his friends and family.
Posted by: DidierF | 18 October 2017 at 12:35 PM
Me too, TTG, me too, and in hindsight what makes me most angry are the speculations, if he wouldn't be the best to substitute Assad. If he wouldn't the vote in post-war Syria. Weren't there such rumors around here? OK maybe I am hallucinating.
Major General Zahreddine, R.I.P.
Posted by: LeaNder | 18 October 2017 at 12:36 PM
the last bit can also be translated as: they will get "rizq" or get succour/provision
Posted by: LG | 18 October 2017 at 01:25 PM
the rumors were about general suheil al hassan.
Posted by: LG | 18 October 2017 at 01:26 PM
I fervently hope that the cause for which this man fought continues that much strengthened after his death.
pl continually points out that Syria is a multi-confessional society. That is what responsible and sane members of humanity should be seeking. Religious extremists who have hatred and contempt for other religions are a cancer.
Posted by: Bill Herschel | 18 October 2017 at 01:44 PM
May God grant him rest.
Posted by: mike | 18 October 2017 at 01:45 PM
I recall some piece published in French Le Monde being shared here which speculated on Suhail al-Hassan having such political prospects post-war. I am more inclined towards the sentiment that the only basis for such is speculations and fiction, both regarding Zahr ad-Din and al-Hassan and other current military leaders.
While not unexpected, it is quite disgusting to see the type of reaction to this news coming from "moderate" corners mostly outside the Syrian theater itself, who cannot even claim that "their" warring party had a part in his death.
Irregardless of all that: Nur içinde yatsın, komutan.
Posted by: Barish | 18 October 2017 at 01:54 PM
RIP for this Indomitable Man...
I suspect though with the relief effort of his steadfast Defense of Dair-ez-Zaur not to mention subsequent Advances since made - This Man will have no trouble resting in Peace. He kept to his pledge and lived just long enough to see his Duties through.
If one can forgive me I wrote Section of this before in other Previous Thread which I will repeat here in slight Amended Form as I suspect this may become Increasingly Relevant.
"Word is - Mine
There would be no shortage of Land Mines in Theatre to make such incidents all to possible. But it is worth to note this would be second major Commander in as many Months of R+6 Forces in Dair-z-Zaur....
Would be interested to Note if this was indeed Mine or Improvised Explosive or Remote Bomb..
General Suheil al-Hassan and his Tigers it seems were issued while ago few examples from Russian Park of Italian IVECO LMV - Of primary benefit against Mines and Road Bombs but also relative high Profile"
Without wishing to Speculate to much in Terms of Culprits - Syrian Government Intrigue, US Coalition Implicitness or else but as the Caliphate Draws its last increasingly feeble Breaths it seems inevitable that some the fighting will follow as we have seen in Chechnya and else where previously a withdrawl from pitched Battle and increased Guerilla, Diversionary Warfare..
Syrian Military is Officer Heavy as like Soviet Doctrine, and as similar to Iranian Example also it does not shy from Senior Officers serving in direct Action either, protecting them will not be easy - Indeed General Zahreddine probably would eschew what would be contrary to his - 'Lead from Front' but this Security, especially for major Heroes of SAA (Like The Tiger) will need Attention.
Posted by: Grazhdanochka | 18 October 2017 at 02:04 PM
"All men die, only a few will be remembered".
You will be one of them, Issam, The Mad Druze.
Repose en paix mon frère d'arme.
Posted by: aleksandar | 18 October 2017 at 03:30 PM
He was not only a heroic figure. He could also sing and laugh during the worst of times.
https://twitter.com/IvanSidorenko1/status/920728798869508097
Posted by: mike | 18 October 2017 at 05:37 PM
Barish,
I second your wishes. Nur icinde yatsin.
Ishmael Zechariah
Posted by: Ishmael Zechariah | 18 October 2017 at 05:44 PM
Small consolation perhaps, but holding off the siege then collecting the gratitude of his countrymen during his valedictory tour has to have given him a sense of accomplishment felt only by a miniscule portion of humans. RIP.
Posted by: Thirdeye | 18 October 2017 at 06:07 PM
May Allah grant Sindid Arslan Zahreddine peace now and may his spirit soon smile down on a jihadi free Syria.
Posted by: Eric Newhill | 18 October 2017 at 06:21 PM
Major General Issam Zahreddine, a man who stood in the breach and did his duty, no matter the odds he faced, unto death.
"That is greatness. That is what it means to be a thoroughbred. The honorable end is the one thing that can not be taken from a man.” - Oswald Spengler
Posted by: Lemur | 18 October 2017 at 07:51 PM
Grazhdanochka -
The smearing has already started. Erdogan's pet newspaper, Yeni Şafak, has a story out calling him Assad's killer; and suggesting that he was assassinated by the Syria regime's Mukhabarat.
http://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/chief-assad-killer-assassinated-by-syrian-regime-in-deir-ezzor-2796190
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeni_%C5%9Eafak
Tomorrow, when suitably chastened, they will probably be blaming the Coalition for planting the mine.
Posted by: mike | 18 October 2017 at 10:22 PM
Truly Syria's Stonewall Jackson. It is saddening to see him go. Thankfully for the rest of us he was there to be one of the rocks to break IS. I imagine that his exploits will be remembered fondly for generations to come.
Posted by: ThomasG | 18 October 2017 at 11:11 PM
ThomasG
He waas in my opinion more like Pete Longstreet. Suheil is more like Stonewall. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 18 October 2017 at 11:43 PM
There will no doubt be endless Speculation. Likewise the Winds will blow back and some will suggest Coalition Involvement.....
All of it to me will suggest the need of the SAA to adapt to Insurgent Warfare even if this is not case of it.....
It will likely happen and these VIPS need to be protected....
Something I think of Note, Convoys Ideally Drive in each others Step....
Ideally (Not ultimately) this means a clear path with first Vehicles taking the Risk...
Thus a certain measure of concern if a Command Truck etc in a Convoy is the Sole Vehicle of a Land Mine etc...
Posted by: Grazhdanochka | 19 October 2017 at 01:50 AM
RIP General.
Posted by: aka | 19 October 2017 at 05:29 AM
Sit tibi terra levis!
RIP General.
Posted by: Balint Somkuti, PhD | 19 October 2017 at 07:52 AM