Asim Hawari
Asim Hawari | |
|---|---|
عاصم حواري | |
| Commander of the Syrian Air Force | |
| Assumed office 1 March 2025 | |
| President | Ahmed al-Sharaa |
| Preceded by | Mohammed Dib Zeitoun |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
|
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands | Syrian Air Force |
Asim Rashid al-Hawari (عاصم راشد الحواري; born c. 1970s), also known by his kunya Abu al-Qasim Beit Jann, is a Syrian Air Force officer who has served as the commander of the Syrian Air Force since March 2025. He is considered a close ally of Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa.[1]
Early life and rebel career
[edit]Al-Hawari was born in the late 1970s in a village near the Golan. He joined the opposition forces early in the Syrian civil war around 2011, aligning with rebel groups against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Over the subsequent years, he rose through the ranks in several senior military positions within Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), demonstrating exceptional field command abilities despite lacking formal military education. His leadership was particularly noted during operations in northern Syria, where he earned a reputation for tactical acumen.[2]
Military career
[edit]Following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, al-Hawari transitioned to the newly formed transitional government structures. In March 2025, he was appointed as Commander of the Syrian Air Force, succeeding Mohammed Dib Zeitoun.[3] Under his command, the Air Force has focused on restructuring and modernization efforts, including inspections of key airbases such as Al-Seen Military Airport to prepare for reactivation amid ongoing security threats from ISIS remnants.[4] In July 2025, al-Hawari coordinated with international partners during firefighting operations in the Latakia countryside, meeting with Jordanian and Lebanese army teams to enhance coordination and prevent air accidents.[5] Later that month, he engaged in discussions with Turkish military officials at the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Istanbul, focusing on potential cooperation in air force training and equipment.[6] In September 2025, he held high-level talks in Ankara with Turkish Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu and Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Ziya Cemal Kadioglu to advance joint military initiatives under a bilateral security agreement.[6] Al-Hawari's background in jihadist-linked groups has drawn international scrutiny, with reports highlighting concerns over ideological influences within the new Syrian military leadership.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Little is publicly known about al-Hawari's personal life. He maintains a low profile outside of official duties.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Profiles of commanders in the new Syrian army's regional divisions". FDD's Long War Journal. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "The Air Force Commander meets with a Lebanese Army team participating in extinguishing fires in the Lattakia countryside". Hatha Alyoum. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ a b "New Syrian Army's Senior Officials Linked to Jihadist Ideologies, Raising Concerns". The Syrian Observer. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "US-backed Syrian Free Army secures airbase east of Damascus". Foundation for Defense of Democracies. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "Brigadier General Hawari meets with the Jordanian army team participating in extinguishing operations in the Latakia countryside". Hatha Alyoum. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Turkey begins training the new Syrian army". Enab Baladi. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.