Emirati authorities have detained prominent Syrian military figure Issam Bouidani, known as “Abu Hammam,” at Dubai International Airport. He was attempting to leave the country, according to Syrian sources.
Bouidani assumed leadership of the militant group Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) after the death of its founder Zahran Alloush in 2015. He currently holds a senior position within Syria’s new Ministry of Defence.
He has recently been involved in efforts to dissolve his former faction. These efforts aim to integrate it into the emerging military structure under the new administration.
A Syrian source told Arabi21 that both Bouidani and former Syrian opposition coalition member Yasser Dalwan were detained by Emirati authorities.
No official explanation has been provided for their arrest.
Some Syrian news outlets have linked the detentions to an Interpol arrest warrant. It was reportedly filed by the former regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Other reports speculate that Bouidani’s detention may be connected to the case of human rights activist Razan Zaitouneh. She disappeared in areas formerly controlled by Jaish al-Islam.
There have been longstanding accusations that members of the faction were involved in her abduction and possible killing.
