One of the most infamous enforcers of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Talal Dakkak, has reportedly been executed by rebels, according to international media reports. The former military commander, notorious for his ruthless actions, allegedly kept a lion as a personal pet—feeding it prisoners, a horrifying detail that has shocked observers.
A Commander’s Dark Legacy
Dakkak, once a taxi driver, rose through the ranks to become a soldier in Assad’s elite 25th Division, known as the “Tiger Forces.” Reports claim he stole a young lion from a zoo, raising it as a symbol of his power and cruelty. Photos allegedly show him with the animal as a cub. He is said to have fed the lion the corpses of his enemies, many of whom were killed by him or his subordinates.
He reportedly boasted to fellow soldiers that he fed “terrorists” to his pet.
Dakkak, who also went by the name Abu Sakhr, at one point commanded a 1,500-strong division of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Directorate. His role in the regime extended beyond killing and torture; he allegedly enriched himself by smuggling drugs, fuel, and medicine, and dealing in illegal vehicles.
A Reign of Terror and Corruption
Dakkak’s actions went beyond battlefield atrocities. Multiple sources report that he detained innocent civilians to extort ransom money from their wealthy relatives. Some claim he harvested organs from deceased enemies to sell on the black market.
The lion he kept as a pet was reportedly stolen from a zoo, an act that became a symbol of his unchecked brutality and corruption.
Captured and Executed by Rebels
Dakkak’s capture occurred in his hometown of Hama, which was taken over by Islamist HTS rebels and the nationalist SNA a week ago. Local militias reportedly arrested him, and video footage released on Tuesday shows what appear to be preparations for his public execution. While his death has not been officially confirmed, images circulated online suggest he was executed by firing squad.
Rebels Target Regime Figures
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani has vowed to hold senior Assad regime figures accountable for their roles in torture and war crimes. After Assad’s regime was toppled, al-Julani announced his intent to pursue those responsible for the atrocities committed during the Syrian civil war.
While some of Assad’s loyal enforcers remain in hiding, Dakkak’s reported execution marks a significant moment in the efforts to bring the regime’s perpetrators to justice.
