One OF the Syrian governments most prominent intelligence officers,Maj. Gen. Jamea Jamea,was killed during fighting in Deir al-Zour,Syrian rebels and state news media said on Friday as government warplanes bombed the city after several days of fierce clashes. General Jamea,killed Thursday,is the most senior security figure confirmed dead in more than a year. He was respected in Syrias powerful inner circles of intelligence and military leaders after a long career as a Syrian strongman in Lebanon and most recently for doing a good job against the uprising at home,according to a Syrian in contact with senior security figures. The European Union appeared to have a similar view of his importance,if a different response. In Aug 2011,it placed sanctions on General Jamea,freezing his assets and denying him a visa for travel in the European Union,for his role in repression and violence against the civilian population. That such a notable figure was still commanding operations in Deir al-Zour suggested that President Bashar al-Assad was still committing important resources to checking rebel advances in remote,rebellious eastern Syria. And this was despite the views of many pro and anti-government analysts that the Syrian government had written off any hope of regaining full control of the area. The general was considered a formidable and notorious enemy not only by Syrian rebels but also by opponents of the Syrian government in Lebanon,where he served during Syrias occupation and was accused by some of playing a role in the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. According to varying reports,the general was killed either by a snipers bullet or in an explosion during an ambush. His death helped rebels recapture some optimism after the fading of their hopes for American military intervention and the eruption of infighting with jihadist groups. He is a regime symbol, said Ragheb Bashir Tomeh,a member of the rebel Supreme Military Council. HWAIDA SAAD & ANNE BARNARD
