Senior officer found shot dead in Syria: reports

BEIRUT (Reuters) – A senior Syrian officer was shot dead in mysterious circumstances in northern Syria last week, Arab media reports said on Sunday.

Pan-Arab al-Hayat newspaper, quoting “well-informed” sources in London, said the officer had been found dead on Friday night-Saturday morning. It said the officer had been in charge of “sensitive files” and was close to the Syrian leadership.

Lebanon’s Future News television station identified the officer as Brigadier General Mohammad Suleiman whom it said was a military aide to President Bashar al-Assad. It said his body was found at a hotel in the northern port city of Tartous.

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian authorities on the reports.

Syria is a tightly controlled state with powerful police and intelligence services. High-ranking officers hold senior state positions and are at times involved in rivalries and power struggles.