Syrian Rebels Confirm Killing Air Force General

General Shot Near Home in Northern Damascus

The rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) has taken credit today for the assassination of Syrian Air Force General Abdullah Mahmoud al-Khalidi, a day after Syrian state media reported him slain by “terrorists” near his home in Northern Damascus.

Gen. Khalidi was considered one of the top aviation experts in Syria, and was in charge of training operations for the Syrian Air Force. Officials say he was shot dead in the streets on his way home from visiting his friend.

Syria has become increasingly reliant on its Air Force in recent weeks as the fighting has escalated in the far north, with dozens of air strikes reported on any given day against rebel held territory.

Khalidi’s death is just one of many of high profile Syrian officials since the Civil War began last year, with one attack killing the nation’s defense minister. The FSA has claimed credit for most of these killings.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.