security official

Ali Duba

علي دوبا

Also known as: Abu Shaker

Journeys

Ali Duba: 26 Years Running Syria's Most Feared Intelligence Agency

Military Intelligence under Duba was responsible for monitoring, arresting, and torturing political opponents, Palestinian factions, and anyone deemed a threat to the Assad regime. Its Branch 291 became infamous for systematic abuse. Duba's personal longevity in the role — through every major crisis of the Hafez era — made him one of the most feared men in Syria.

Biography

Ali Duba served as the head of Syria's Military Intelligence Directorate from 1974 to 2000 — 26 years at the apex of Syria's most feared intelligence branch. An Alawite from the Golan region, he was one of Hafez al-Assad's most trusted security barons and was directly involved in the 1982 Hama massacre, the Lebanon intelligence network, and the Pan Am 103 investigation. He was removed in 2000 when Bashar came to power.

Documentation Status

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Journeys1

Key Facts

Born:1933

Place:Deir al-Hajar, Quneitra, Syria

Died:2015

Nationality:Syrian