Political Security Directorate
Former Syrian intelligence service
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The Political Security Directorate (PSD, Arabic: إدارة الأمن السياسي, romanized: Idarat al-Amn al-Siyasi) was an intelligence service of Ba'athist Syria. It was divided into an Internal Security Department and an External Security Department.[2] Intelligence division was affiliated to the Ministry of Interior. Its activities involved the surveillance of the satellite parties of National Progressive Front and was active against the Syrian opposition.[3][4] It monitored literature, print publications, political dissent, and all media outlets.[2][5][6] This intelligence service was headed by Major General Ghaith Shafeeq Deeb from 5 February 2021 until December 2024.[7]
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| إدارة الأمن السياسي Idarat al-Amn al-Siyasi | |
| |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1971 |
| Dissolved | 8 December 2024 (de facto) 29 January 2025 (de jure)[1] |
| Superseding agency | |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Syria |
| Headquarters | Kafr Sousa, Damascus, Syria |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | Ministry of Interior |
Organization
The Political Intelligence Directorate was supervised by the Ministry of Interior.[8] The PSD was also controlled by former President Bashar al-Assad through the National Security Bureau of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party Central Command.[9] It was divided into two departments:[10]
- Internal Security Department (ISD)
- Investigative Branch
- Operations Branch
- External Security Department (ESD)
- Arab Affairs Branch
- Refugee Affairs Branch
- Zionist and Jewish Affairs Branch
Directors
- Ahmad Sa'id Salih (Early 80s —1987)[10]
- Adnan Badr Hassan (1987–2002)[11]
- Ghazi Kanaan (2002–2004)[12]
- Muhammad Mansoura (2004–2009)[13][14]
- Mohammed Dib Zaitoun (2009 – 25 July 2012)[15][16]
- Rustum Ghazali (25 July 2012 – 24 April 2015)
- Nasser Muhammad Al-Ali (24 April 2015–2017)
- Mohammad Khaled al-Rahmoun (2017–26 November 2018)[18]
- Hossam Louka (26 November 2018–July 2019)[18]
- Nasser Muhammad Al-Ali (July 2019–5 February 2021)[19]
- Ghaith Shafeeq Deeb (5 February 2021–December 2024)
Regional Directors
- Rif Dimashq branch: Brig. Gen. Sameer al-Sheikh (1993–2005)[20][better source needed]
- Aleppo branch: Brig. Gen. Akram Ali Muhammad (2009–2013)[21]
- Daraa branch: Brig. Gen. Atef Najib (2011), the European Union sanctioned him on 9 May 2011 for "being responsible for the violence against protesters in Daraa during the Syrian uprising".[22] He was replaced by Brig. Gen. Nasser al-Ali.[17]
- Damascus branch: Brig. Gen. Riad al-Shahada (2020–2024)[23]