Ali Abdullah Ayub is the Syrian Minister of Defense. Ali Abdullah Ayoub graduated from the Military Academy with a specialization in armored corps at the end of 1973 and rose through various military ranks and positions until he reached the rank of general in September 2011. He led the 103rd Brigade of the Republican Guard, the Syrian Army’s First Corps, then was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Army and Armed Forces, and is currently the Minister of Defense since 2018. 

General Ayoub is considered to be directly responsible for various crimes committed against Syrians, especially the violations committed by the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 15th Special Forces Divisions. He’s also responsible for all crimes committed by the Syrian Arab Army sections, including the chemical attack on Eastern Ghouta, and had a major role in coordinating Russian air bombardment operations.