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Assad dismisses security chief of powerful 'Branch 40'

The dismissal of Col. Hafez Makhlouf, head of Syria's internal security, may be a sign of reformist policies or even a change of leadership within the regime.
A man takes a photo of his friend in front of a poster of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at Umayyad Square in Damascus May 16, 2014. Syria is holding a presidential election for June 3, preparing the ground for Assad to defy widespread opposition and extend his grip on power, days after he said the civil war was turning in his favour. Opponents have dismissed the vote as a farce.   REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) - RTR3PGCV
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Syrian Col. Hafez Makhlouf left Damascus last week through Beirut to relocate to Belarus, with the knowledge of the authorities. This is Makhlouf’s first movement after his dismissal from the Syrian army, which came at his request, as circulated within official Syrian channels. This news will not go unnoticed, as the man in question is highly reputable.

Makhlouf is the cousin of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He was, until two weeks ago, the state's most powerful and influential security official. He was also a chief leader in the Syrian conflict that has been ongoing for three years now, given his security position in the capital itself. But all this ended a few days ago. The Syrian army leadership issued a surprise decision to dismiss Hafez.

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