Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, the infamous Syrian cleric known as the ‘barrel bomb mufti’, who justified atrocities committed under former ruler Bashar al-Assad, was on Monday (Aug 24) sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Damascus. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty in a trial that began on 25 June under Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan. The jailing of the mufti came just weeks after Assad was sentenced to death in absentia for his actions while in power.<h2>Syria’s post-Assad transitional justice process</h2>The case is one of many being pursued to deliver justice to victims of the former regime.&nbsp;The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus found the former grand mufti guilty of inciting violence and civil war. He was charged with justifying killings under the Assad regime and abusing his office, as well as alleged involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity. His assets were ordered to be confiscated for the benefit of the public treasury.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/damascus-court-delivers-verdict-against-bashar-al-assad-syria-sentences-ousted-ruler-to-death-1786506322213/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/damascus-court-delivers-verdict-against-bashar-al-assad-syria-sentences-ousted-ruler-to-death-1786506322213/embed</a><h2>The barrel bomb mufti of Syria</h2>Hassoun was Syria’s grand mufti from 2005 until 2021. The cleric, who was born in Aleppo around 1949, acted as one of the Assad regime’s most prominent religious defenders after the 2011 uprising, which led to a nearly 14-year civil war.Hassoun portrayed the protests as a foreign-backed terrorist conspiracy. He used his Friday sermons, public appearances and fatwas to lend religious and political legitimacy to the Assad regime’s brutal crackdowns.He was nicknamed the “barrel bomb mufti” or the “mufti of the barrels” because he justified as “liberation” the regime’s indiscriminate aerial bombing of civilian areas with explosive-laden barrels. &nbsp;He also issued threats, saying at one point that Syria would train suicide bombers to attack European countries if they intervened.He was accused of authorising executions of detainees, including at the notorious Sednaya Prison.His influence waned after 2018, when authority over religious affairs shifted.The grand mufti post was later abolished under Assad in 2021, before being restored after the regime’s fall in 2024.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-ousted-president-bashar-al-assad-gets-death-penalty-in-landmark-verdict-1786437414005">Ousted Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad gets death sentence in landmark verdict</a><h2>Hassoun was held when trying to flee Syria</h2>Following Assad’s ouster by opposition forces led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, then the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in December 2024, Hassoun went into hiding. HTS was the main force in the rebel offensive that toppled Assad’s government and seized Damascus on 8 December 2024.Hassoun was detained at Damascus International Airport in March 2025 while trying to flee the country.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bashar-al-assad-sentenced-to-death-in-absentia-fall-of-a-dictator-political-profile-1786441067165">Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia: Fall of a dictator</a>&nbsp;The trial of the former mufti was viewed in Syria as a significant step towards holding senior civilian and religious figures accountable for the Syrian war, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.&nbsp;

A Syrian court sentenced former Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, known as the “barrel bomb mufti”, to life imprisonment. He was accused of inciting violence and justifying killings under Bashar al-Assad 

Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, the infamous Syrian cleric known as the ‘barrel bomb mufti’, who justified atrocities committed under former ruler Bashar al-Assad, was on Monday (Aug 24) sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Damascus. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty in a trial that began on 25 June under Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan. The jailing of the mufti came just weeks after Assad was sentenced to death in absentia for his actions while in power. Syria’s post-Assad transitional justice process The case is one of many being pursued to deliver justice to victims of the former regime. The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus found the former grand mufti guilty of inciting violence and civil war. He was charged with justifying killings under the Assad regime and abusing his office, as well as alleged involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity. His assets were ordered to be confiscated for the benefit of the public treasury. https://www.wionews.com/videos/damascus-court-delivers-verdict-against-bashar-al-assad-syria-sentences-ousted-ruler-to-death-1786506322213/embed The barrel bomb mufti of Syria Hassoun was Syria’s grand mufti from 2005 until 2021. The cleric, who was born in Aleppo around 1949, acted as one of the Assad regime’s most prominent religious defenders after the 2011 uprising, which led to a nearly 14-year civil war. Hassoun portrayed the protests as a foreign-backed terrorist conspiracy. He used his Friday sermons, public appearances and fatwas to lend religious and political legitimacy to the Assad regime’s brutal crackdowns. He was nicknamed the “barrel bomb mufti” or the “mufti of the barrels” because he justified as “liberation” the regime’s indiscriminate aerial bombing of civilian areas with explosive-laden barrels. He also issued threats, saying at one point that Syria would train suicide bombers to attack European countries if they intervened. He was accused of authorising executions of detainees, including at the notorious Sednaya Prison. His influence waned after 2018, when authority over religious affairs shifted. The grand mufti post was later abolished under Assad in 2021, before being restored after the regime’s fall in 2024. Also read: Ousted Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad gets death sentence in landmark verdict Hassoun was held when trying to flee Syria Following Assad’s ouster by opposition forces led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, then the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in December 2024, Hassoun went into hiding. HTS was the main force in the rebel offensive that toppled Assad’s government and seized Damascus on 8 December 2024. Hassoun was detained at Damascus International Airport in March 2025 while trying to flee the country. Also read: Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia: Fall of a dictator The trial of the former mufti was viewed in Syria as a significant step towards holding senior civilian and religious figures accountable for the Syrian war, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.

A Syrian court sentenced former Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, known as the “barrel bomb mufti”, to life imprisonment. He was accused of inciting violence and justifying killings under Bashar al-Assad&nbsp;

Who is "barrel bomb mufti" Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, sentenced to prison for life for justifying Assad regime atrocities?

The United States strongly condemned an alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria's Eastern Ghouta late Saturday, saying Russia bore some responsibility due to its "unwavering support" for the regime.

Douma, the last opposition holdout in Eastern Ghouta, was pounded by renewed airstrikes that killed 70 civilians in around 24 hours -- while 11 people also suffered breathing problems.

First responders have accused forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of using poisonous chlorine gas.

"The Assad regime and its backers must be held accountable and any further attacks prevented immediately," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

"Russia, with its unwavering support for the regime, ultimately bears responsibility for these brutal attacks."

Nauert repeated the US's previous assertions that Moscow had "breached its commitments to the United Nations as a framework guarantor" and questioned the Kremlin's commitment to ending the crisis.

"Russia's protection of the Assad regime and failure to stop the use of chemical weapons in Syria calls into question its commitment to resolving the overall crisis and to larger non-proliferation priorities," she said, calling upon Moscow to join international efforts to prevent further attacks.

The Syrian regime has been repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons, with the United Nations among those blaming government forces for a deadly sarin gas attack on the opposition-held village of Khan Sheikhun in April 2017.

Since February 18, the regime's Ghouta offensive has killed more than 1,600 civilians.

The Assad regime and its backers must be held accountable and any further attacks prevented immediately," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

The United States strongly condemned an alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria's Eastern Ghouta late Saturday, saying Russia bore some responsibility due to its "unwavering support" for the regime. Douma, the last opposition holdout in Eastern Ghouta, was pounded by renewed airstrikes that killed 70 civilians in around 24 hours -- while 11 people also suffered breathing problems. First responders have accused forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of using poisonous chlorine gas. "The Assad regime and its backers must be held accountable and any further attacks prevented immediately," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. "Russia, with its unwavering support for the regime, ultimately bears responsibility for these brutal attacks." Nauert repeated the US's previous assertions that Moscow had "breached its commitments to the United Nations as a framework guarantor" and questioned the Kremlin's commitment to ending the crisis. "Russia's protection of the Assad regime and failure to stop the use of chemical weapons in Syria calls into question its commitment to resolving the overall crisis and to larger non-proliferation priorities," she said, calling upon Moscow to join international efforts to prevent further attacks. The Syrian regime has been repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons, with the United Nations among those blaming government forces for a deadly sarin gas attack on the opposition-held village of Khan Sheikhun in April 2017. Since February 18, the regime's Ghouta offensive has killed more than 1,600 civilians.

US takes aim at Russia over alleged Syria chemical attack

An air strike killed 18 civilians including five children in Syria&#39;s northwestern province of Idlib on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.

The monitoring group said the toll in the strike on Urum al-Joz could rise further because a number of people wounded in the attack were in serious condition.

It said the strike was believed to have been carried out by Russian planes, which operate in support of the Syrian government.

The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

Idlib province is controlled by a rebel alliance that includes a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, and is regularly targeted by both the Syrian government and its Russian ally.

Earlier this week, a suspected chemical attack hit the town of Khan Sheikhun in Idlib, killing at least 87 civilians, including 31 children.

Much of the international community accused Assad&#39;s government of responsibility for that attack, though Damascus involved responsibility.

The Khan Sheikhun strike prompted Washington to take its first direct military action against Assad&#39;s government, with missile strikes against a central air base on Friday morning.

More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government demonstrations.

(AFP)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said the strike was believed to have been carried out by Russian planes

An air strike killed 18 civilians including five children in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said. The monitoring group said the toll in the strike on Urum al-Joz could rise further because a number of people wounded in the attack were in serious condition. It said the strike was believed to have been carried out by Russian planes, which operate in support of the Syrian government. The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used. Idlib province is controlled by a rebel alliance that includes a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, and is regularly targeted by both the Syrian government and its Russian ally. Earlier this week, a suspected chemical attack hit the town of Khan Sheikhun in Idlib, killing at least 87 civilians, including 31 children. Much of the international community accused Assad's government of responsibility for that attack, though Damascus involved responsibility. The Khan Sheikhun strike prompted Washington to take its first direct military action against Assad's government, with missile strikes against a central air base on Friday morning. More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government demonstrations. (AFP)

Strike kills 18 civilians, including 5 children, in Syria's Idlib: Monitor

Syria&#39;s pro-Assad forces and militias under Iranian command captured about 90 per cent of the opposition-held areas of eastern Aleppo, The Daily Beast reports.

The rebels are withdrawing in defeat, as the last chance at receiving reinforcements and supplies seems to be about nil as pro-regime forces have cut off the supply lines, The Daily Beast reports.

Today has seen intense bombings of houses and apartment buildings, and the destruction is reported to be on such an enormous scale that the death toll for now cannot be calculated, and&nbsp;the neighbourhoods of Bustan al-Qasr, al-Kallasa, al-Farod and al-Salhin in the Old City, as well as Sheikh Saed, in the southern district, are all now under regime control, The Daily Beast reports.

The White Helmets, or&nbsp;Syrian Civil Defense, an internationally renowned team of first responders, said more than 90 bodies of people presumed to be still alive are under debris, and that its volunteer staff reported they could hear&nbsp;children trapped in the rubbles of their houses, The Daily Beast reports.

Opposition media have circulated unconfirmed reports that atrocities have already begun, such as the summary execution of civilians including women and children, The Daily Beast reports.&nbsp;

These reports could not be independetly verified by The Daily Beast or WION.

However, UNHCR spokesperson Rupert Colville said, &quot;In all, as of yesterday evening, we have received reports of pro-Government forces killing at least 82 civilians (including 11 women and 13 children) in four different neighbourhoods -- Bustan al-Qasr, al-Ferdous, al-Kallaseh, and al-Saleheen.&quot;

The official Syrian news agency SANA claimed that eight people were killed and 47 were injured in regime-held Aleppo after opposition fighters bombed the city. Most of the victims were women and children, according to the agency.

Reuters reported a military source as saying that the last rebel pocked could fall &quot;any moment&quot;.

Some Syrian residents and activists&nbsp;spent the day<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syria-activists-tweet-final-goodbyes-as-aleppo-offensive-nears-end-10097"> on social media saying goodbye</a>, warning that they were about to be killed.

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The Syrian army and its allies are in the &quot;Final stages&quot; of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse (WION)
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(WION)

The United Nations has reports 82 people were 'summarily shot dead' in recaptured neighbourhoods

Syria's pro-Assad forces and militias under Iranian command captured about 90 per cent of the opposition-held areas of eastern Aleppo, The Daily Beast reports. The rebels are withdrawing in defeat, as the last chance at receiving reinforcements and supplies seems to be about nil as pro-regime forces have cut off the supply lines, The Daily Beast reports. Today has seen intense bombings of houses and apartment buildings, and the destruction is reported to be on such an enormous scale that the death toll for now cannot be calculated, and the neighbourhoods of Bustan al-Qasr, al-Kallasa, al-Farod and al-Salhin in the Old City, as well as Sheikh Saed, in the southern district, are all now under regime control, The Daily Beast reports. The White Helmets, or Syrian Civil Defense, an internationally renowned team of first responders, said more than 90 bodies of people presumed to be still alive are under debris, and that its volunteer staff reported they could hear children trapped in the rubbles of their houses, The Daily Beast reports. Opposition media have circulated unconfirmed reports that atrocities have already begun, such as the summary execution of civilians including women and children, The Daily Beast reports. These reports could not be independetly verified by The Daily Beast or WION. However, UNHCR spokesperson Rupert Colville said, "In all, as of yesterday evening, we have received reports of pro-Government forces killing at least 82 civilians (including 11 women and 13 children) in four different neighbourhoods -- Bustan al-Qasr, al-Ferdous, al-Kallaseh, and al-Saleheen." The official Syrian news agency SANA claimed that eight people were killed and 47 were injured in regime-held Aleppo after opposition fighters bombed the city. Most of the victims were women and children, according to the agency. Reuters reported a military source as saying that the last rebel pocked could fall "any moment". Some Syrian residents and activists spent the day on social media saying goodbye, warning that they were about to be killed. The Syrian army and its allies are in the "Final stages" of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse (WION) × (WION)

Assad's forces seize Aleppo, The Daily Beast claims 'butchering' civilians

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Who is "barrel bomb mufti" Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, sentenced to prison for life for justifying Assad regime atrocities?

US takes aim at Russia over alleged Syria chemical attack

Strike kills 18 civilians, including 5 children, in Syria's Idlib: Monitor

Assad's forces seize Aleppo, The Daily Beast claims 'butchering' civilians