On January 20, French investigative judges issued a fresh arrest warrant for deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, accusing him of complicity in war crimes, including deliberate attacks on civilians. The warrant is linked to the investigation of the death of Salah Abu Nabor, a French-Syrian citizen killed in an airstrike in Syria on June 7, 2017.
This is the second arrest warrant issued by French authorities against Assad. The first, in November 2023, accused him of complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes, stemming from chemical attacks in Douma and Eastern Ghouta in August 2013, which claimed over 1,000 lives.
Assad’s Ouster and Legal Pursuits
Assad was overthrown in December 2024 by rebel forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Since his ousting, international legal actions against him have intensified, with France taking a leading role.
The Syrian government has consistently denied using chemical weapons during the civil war, which began in March 2011. However, international investigations, including those by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), have linked Assad’s regime to numerous attacks.
Significance of the Arrest Warrant
France’s actions underscore its commitment to seeking accountability for war crimes committed during the Syrian conflict. This latest warrant highlights the growing international focus on holding Assad and his regime accountable for their alleged crimes against civilians.
