• Education
    • Higher Education
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Online Learning
    • School Reforms
    • Research & Innovation
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Home & Living
    • Relationships & Family
  • Technology & Startups
    • Software & Apps
    • Startup Success Stories
    • Startups & Innovations
    • Tech Regulations
    • Venture Capital
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Gadgets & Devices
    • Industry Analysis
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Today Headline
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
Today Headline
No Result
View All Result
Home World News Europe

Syria’s secret services tactics echo Nazis, Stasi methods – DW – 12/14/2024

December 14, 2024
in Europe
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
0
Syria's secret services tactics echo Nazis, Stasi methods – DW – 12/14/2024
4
SHARES
8
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Horrific images have been circulating online since the liberation of Saydnaya Prison in Syria, five floors of which were hidden underground.

The images show gaunt, emaciated people, some standing in packed, overcrowded cells. Many prisoners had to be carried out of the building. The liberators also filmed a room where people were huddled in the semidarkness, screaming. Numerous bodies were found with signs of having been tortured to death. Thousands of prisoners were being held in the complex on the day it was liberated, according to media reports.

As many as 15,000 people were extrajudicially executed in the prison between September 2011 and December 2015 alone, according to the human rights organization Amnesty International.

Some people on social media see a direct link to the Nazis, in particular, Alois Brunner, a commanding officer in the Nazi paramilitary SS who fled to Syria in 1954. Brunner was a close associate of Adolf Eichmann, who, as one of the architects of the so-called “Final Solution,” was partly responsible for the persecution, expulsion, deportation and murder of millions of Jews.

Former Nazis ‘valued for their practical experience’

Brunner was not the only former SS or Wehrmacht member in Syria, as Noura Chalati from the Leibniz Zentrum Moderner Orient in Berlin research institution explained.

“Many of them were employed directly by the Syrian general staff on one-year contracts, advising the army and the military intelligence service,” she said.

Documents show that the general staff was particularly interested in these people because, at the time, they were stateless, from a country that supposedly had no colonial history — and, of course, because of their experience in war, including with methods of mass extermination.

“They were valued for their practical experience,” said Chalati, whose research focuses on the relationship between the former East German state security service (Stasi) and Syria’s secret services.

A ma in a black hat and flak jacket swings back a metal rod, preparing to break down a metal door. To the left of him is a door of metal bars.
Rebels opened the cells in the infamous Saydnaya Prison, known as the ‘human slaughterhouse,’ on December 8Image: Hussein Malla/AP Photo/picture alliance

Brunner, who was sentenced in absentia to death for crimes against humanity in France in 1954, arrived in Syria shortly afterward under a false identity. In his book “Fugitives,” about Nazi war criminals who fled abroad, Israeli historian Danny Orbach wrote that Brunner soon got involved in the smuggling of Western arms to Arab countries.

In 1959, the then-head of one of Syria’s secret services had Brunner arrested on suspicion of spying and threatened him with life imprisonment, whereupon Brunner revealed his true identity and offered his services to Syrian intelligence.

A composite of dozens of slightly blurred portrait photographs, arranged in rows
Portraits of some of those said to have died in the Hama massacre in 1982, perpetrated by the Syrian regimeImage: REPRODUCTION JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images

Over the years that followed, Brunner trained intelligence personnel in counterespionage and interrogation techniques. Many infamous Syrian secret servicemen took part in his training courses, including General Ali Haydar, who led the Syrian special forces for 26 years, Ali Douba, head of military intelligence, and Mustafa Tlass, subsequently defense minister for the Assad regime, who was responsible for brutally suppressing the Muslim Brotherhood-led uprising in Hama in 1982, in which as many as 30,000 people were killed.

Brunner ‘knew exactly how to extract and use information’

One of the instruments of torture used until just recently by the Assad regime was known as the “German chair,” an instrument which stretched victims until their spine broke. It has often been suggested that the chair was Brunner’s invention.

Orbach considers this theory plausible, albeit unproven. He writes that Brunner helped to create gruesome instruments of torture, and the “German chair” may have been one.

Brunner proved useful to Syrian dictator Hafez Assad, who seized power in 1970 and was the father of Bashar Assad. “He knew exactly how to extract and use information, how to manipulate people, what is important for the activities of secret services,” wrote Brunner’s biographer, Didier Epelbaum. “He knew more than any Syrian officer. As a result, he was involved in restructuring the secret service.”

Black and white mid-shot of a middle-aged Alois Brunner, in a striped shirt and wearing sunglasses, facing the camera on the right of an otherwise blank image
Convicted Nazi war criminal Alois Brunner fled to Syria in 1954, where he lived until his death in around 2002Image: picture-alliance / dpa

Investigative journalist Hedi Aouidj told the radio station France Inter in 2017 that this knowledge enabled Brunner to maintain his position with the Syrian political elite.

“The deal was protection. In exchange for Nazi know-how. Brunner trained the Nazi secret service, the circle closest to Hafez al-Assad,” explained Aouidj, who was able to shed light on Brunner’s final years. He said Brunner was ultimately thrown in prison by the Assad regime in 1996, where he remained until his death, thought to have been in 2002.

Assistance from the Stasi

But the Syrian leadership didn’t rely solely on fugitive Nazis for help. It also accepted support from the former the state security service of the East Germany — the Stasi.

This made political sense, according to the logic of the Cold War. Although Syria was non-aligned in the 1960s, under the Baath regime, it increasingly aligned itself with Europe’s Eastern Bloc.

Close-up of a dark brown statue head, sitting on its neck on the tarmac, staring at the sky. A few cars and a couple of people in the background.
After Bashar Assad’s ouster, Syrians toppled statues of his father, Hafez Assad, and burned his tombImage: Hussein Malla/AP/dpa/picture alliance

Noura Chalati said contact was initially established following a request from Syria in 1966. Damascus was interested in everything from weapons technology to the structure and organization of intelligence services and political institutions.

“However, the ministry for state security [Stasi] was very reticent,” according to Chalati. As she pointed out, it’s difficult to obtain documentary evidence of their collaboration, as the Stasi destroyed all the relevant files when it was dissolved in 1989.

‘Worst of both worlds’

In fact, Chalati said it’s difficult to prove conclusively that either Nazis or the Stasi directly influenced the Syrian secret services. “The overall picture, though, fits pretty well with what we are currently seeing in Syria,” she said. 

Files currently being unearthed show that the Syrian intelligence service was characterized by excessive bureaucracy. “This is a phenomenon we’re familiar with from the GDR and the Stasi,” said Chalati. “I can’t claim that there’s a direct, causal connection, but it’s a striking phenomenon. Perhaps it’s also a characteristic of secret services generally; more research on this is needed.”

Syrian detainees: Justice finally served after 14 years

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

At the same time, the Syrian secret service was an instrument of suppression and torture by the regime, committing the most serious of human rights violations. This approach, Chalati said, resembles that of the Nazis and the Gestapo more than that of the Stasi.

“Essentially, we are looking at a regime and a secret service complex that combines the worst of both worlds,” she said.

This article was originally written in German.



Source link

Previous Post

Rights groups urge Zimbabwe’s president to sign bill abolishing death penalty

Next Post

South Korean President Yoon suspended amid impeachment. What’s next?

Related Posts

EU asked to intervene as US sanctions deal fresh blow to ICC – DW – 06/06/2025

EU asked to intervene as US sanctions deal fresh blow to ICC – DW – 06/06/2025

June 6, 2025
3
Doctor Arne Bye jailed for raping and assaulting patients

Doctor Arne Bye jailed for raping and assaulting patients

June 6, 2025
3
Next Post
The Straits Times logo

South Korean President Yoon suspended amid impeachment. What’s next?

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

April 2, 2025
Pioneering 3D printing project shares successes

Product reduces TPH levels to non-hazardous status

November 27, 2024

Hospital Mergers Fail to Deliver Better Care or Lower Costs, Study Finds todayheadline

December 31, 2024

Police ID man who died after Corso Italia fight

December 23, 2024
Harris tells supporters 'never give up' and urges peaceful transfer of power

Harris tells supporters ‘never give up’ and urges peaceful transfer of power

0
Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend's Mother

Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother

0

Trump ‘looks forward’ to White House meeting with Biden

0
Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

0

Draganfly Announces Additional Exercise Of Over-Allotment Option todayheadline

June 6, 2025
Sulcal depth diagram

Your Brain Wrinkles Are Way More Important Than We Ever Realized : ScienceAlert todayheadline

June 6, 2025

Sols 4561-4562: Prepping to Drill at Altadena

June 6, 2025
Bringing wildlife – and people – back together with corridors and crossings

Bringing wildlife – and people – back together with corridors and crossings

June 6, 2025

Recent News

Draganfly Announces Additional Exercise Of Over-Allotment Option todayheadline

June 6, 2025
0
Sulcal depth diagram

Your Brain Wrinkles Are Way More Important Than We Ever Realized : ScienceAlert todayheadline

June 6, 2025
5

Sols 4561-4562: Prepping to Drill at Altadena

June 6, 2025
4
Bringing wildlife – and people – back together with corridors and crossings

Bringing wildlife – and people – back together with corridors and crossings

June 6, 2025
3

TodayHeadline is a dynamic news website dedicated to delivering up-to-date and comprehensive news coverage from around the globe.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Basketball
  • Business & Finance
  • Climate Change
  • Crime & Justice
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic Policies
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Policies
  • Europe
  • Football
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Health
  • Medical Research
  • Mental Health
  • Middle East
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Politics
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Science & Environment
  • Software & Apps
  • Space Exploration
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Technology & Startups
  • Tennis
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Us & Canada
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • World News

Recent News

Draganfly Announces Additional Exercise Of Over-Allotment Option todayheadline

June 6, 2025
Sulcal depth diagram

Your Brain Wrinkles Are Way More Important Than We Ever Realized : ScienceAlert todayheadline

June 6, 2025
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology & Startups
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Todayheadline.co

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Business & Finance
  • Corporate News
  • Economic Policies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Market Trends
  • Crime & Justice
  • Court Cases
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Cybercrime
  • Legal Reforms
  • Policing
  • Education
  • Higher Education
  • Online Learning
  • Entertainment
  • Awards & Festivals
  • Celebrity News
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Health
  • Fitness & Nutrition
  • Medical Breakthroughs
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemic Updates
  • Lifestyle
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Living
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Government Policies
  • International Relations
  • Legislative News
  • Political Parties
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Industry Analysis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Climate Change
  • Environmental Policies
  • Medical Research
  • Science & Environment
  • Space Exploration
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • Sports
  • Tennis
  • Technology & Startups
  • Software & Apps
  • Startup Success Stories
  • Startups & Innovations
  • Tech Regulations
  • Venture Capital
  • Uncategorized
  • World News
  • Us & Canada
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Travel
  • Research & Innovation
  • Scholarships & Grants
  • School Reforms
  • Stock Market
  • TV & Streaming
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • About us
  • Contact

© 2024 Todayheadline.co