Issam Zahreddine

Major General of the Syrian Republican Guard

Issam Jad'aan Zahreddine (Arabic: عصام جدعان زهر الدين‎‎; 1961 – 18 October 2017) sometimes called as Issam Zaher Eldin or Issam Zaher al-Deen, was a Major General of the Syrian Republican Guard.[2][3][4] He played a major role in the Syrian Civil War, leading government forces on several fronts.[5] His most prominent role was the leadership of the surrounded Syrian forces during the over three-year long Siege of Deir ez-Zor.

Issam Zahreddine
Nickname"Lion of the Republican Guard"[1]
"The Druze Beast"
Born1961
Tarba, As-Suwayda, Syria
Died18 October 2017(2017-10-18) (aged 56)
Hawijat Saqr, Deir ez-Zor
Allegiance Syria
Service/branchSyrian Arab Army
Years of service1980–2017
Rank Major General
Unit Syrian Republican Guard
Commands held
  • Republican Guard's 104th Brigade[2]
  • Commander of SAA troops in Aleppo (July – October 2013)
  • Commander of Republican Guards in Deir ez-Zor (October 2013 – October 2017)
Battles/warsSyrian civil war
  • Rif Dimashq offensive (November 2012–February 2013)
  • 2013 Damascus offensive
  • Rif Dimashq offensive (March–August 2013)
  • Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)
  • Deir ez-Zor clashes (2011–14)
  • Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–17)
  • Battle of Al-Hasakah (June–August 2015)

Syrian news agencies reported on 18 October 2017, that Zahreddine was killed by a land mine explosion during operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on Saqr island in Deir ez-Zor.[6]

References