Ali Noureddine al-Naasan
Ali Noureddine al-Naasan | |
|---|---|
علي نور الدين النعسان | |
| Chief of the General Staff | |
| Assumed office 21 December 2024 | |
| President | Ahmed al-Sharaa[a] |
| Prime Minister | Mohammed al-Bashir (2024–2025) |
| Preceded by | Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1970 (age 54–55) |
| Party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Levant Liberation Committee (until 2025) |
| Profession | Military Officer |
| Nickname | Abu Hamza (ابو حمزة) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
Formerly
|
| Branch/service | Syrian Army |
| Rank | Major general |
| Commands | Syrian Armed Forces |
| Battles/wars | |
Major General Ali Noureddine al-Naasan (Arabic: علي نور الدين النعسان) is a Syrian military officer and former rebel commander who serves as the incumbent chief of staff of the Syrian Armed Forces in the Syrian transitional government. Prior to the Syrian Civil War, al-Naasan served as a Syrian Army officer under the Ba'athist government, later defecting in early 2011 to the Syrian opposition.
Biography
Early life and career
He was born in the town of Taybat al-Imam, Hama Governorate during the mid-1970s, he was nicknamed "Abu Hamza".[1][2] Al-Naasan studied locally at Taybat al-Imam before graduating as an officer with distinction from a military academy, he assumed leadership positions in infantry and armored units of the Syrian Arab Army. After the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011 he defected to the Syrian Opposition, participating in fighting in North Syria. Al-Naasan became a military commander in Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and was a commander in the HTS-led Military Operations Command during the 2024 Syrian opposition offensives.[2]
Chief of the General Staff of Syria
After the fall of the Assad regime, al-Naasan was appointed as Chief of the General Staff (COGS) and tasked with rebuilding the Syrian Army. Al Jazeera reported in January 2025 that al-Naasan had "modernised" armament systems, introduced modern training and operational technology, and instituted an 'advanced training program' (برامج تدريب متقدمة) for officers and soldiers in crisis management and modern warfare.[2]
On 29 December 2024, Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the promotion of COGS Ali Noureddine al-Naasan to the rank of Major-General, together with the elevation of 48 other individuals including Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, who was also promoted to the rank of Major General alongside al-Naasan.[1][3]
On 9 January 2025, Al Jazeera reported that al-Naasan's appointment as Chief of the General Staff was confirmed.[4]
See also
Notes
- ^ As de facto leader until 29 January 2025.
References
- ^ a b "بينهم وزير الدفاع.. القيادة العامة تعلن عن ترقيات جديدة في الجيش السوري" [Including the Minister of Defense.. the general leadership announces new promotions in the Syrian army]. Shaam News Network. 29 December 2024. Archived from the original on 1 January 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "علي نور الدين النعسان رئيس هيئة الأركان السورية الجديدة" [Ali Nour al-Din al-Naasan, the new Syrian Chief of Staff]. Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). 11 January 2025. Archived from the original on 11 January 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
- ^ "الشرع يصدر أول قائمة ترفيعات في الجيش.. ضمت أسماء غير سورية" [Sharia issues first list of promotions in the army, including non-Syrian names]. Arabi21 (in Arabic). 29 December 2024. Archived from the original on 30 December 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ^ "الإدارة السورية الجديدة تعين اللواء علي النعسان رئيسا للأركان" [The new Syrian administration appoints Major General Ali al-Naasan as Chief of Staff]. Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). 9 January 2025. Archived from the original on 9 January 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2025.