Historic Testimony: Golan Reconnaissance Chief Unveils Secrets of 1967 Fall and 28 Years in Assad's Prisons

Historic Testimony: Golan Reconnaissance Chief Unveils Secrets of 1967 Fall and 28 Years in Assad's Prisons

After decades of absolute silence, retired Syrian officer Khalil Buraiz has broken a long period of secrecy, revealing in a newly broadcast testimony fascinating details about the fall of the Syrian Golan Heights to Israeli occupation in 1967. This was followed by tragic events that culminated in his abduction and nearly 28 years of imprisonment in Syrian regime jails. This testimony, presented as part of the "File 404" program on "Al Jazeera 360", sheds light on one of the most enigmatic chapters in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Born in 1933, Khalil Buraiz joined the Syrian Military Academy in 1953, later transferring to the Golan front on April 25, 1958. Buraiz rose through the ranks, eventually serving as the head of the reconnaissance department on the Golan front, which granted him extensive knowledge of the region's military details. However, his military career was not without challenges. Following the secession between Syria and Egypt in 1961, Buraiz participated in political events that led to his dismissal from the army and his arrest in 1963 after Ziad al-Hariri's coup.

The Fall of the Golan: Shock and Betrayal in the Eyes of the Reconnaissance Officer

After his release, Buraiz attempted to organize opposition political activities, which forced him to flee to Lebanon after a death sentence was issued against him. His presence in Beirut coincided with the outbreak of the June 1967 War, which saw the fall of the Golan. Buraiz recounts his profound shock upon hearing Military Statement No. 66, issued by then-Syrian Defense Minister Hafez al-Assad, which announced the fall of the city of Quneitra before Israeli forces had even entered it. This paradox raised deep questions for him, as he emphasized that the military doctrine he had learned dictated fighting for long hours before any withdrawal.

Buraiz, who served five years on the front and knows the Golan's terrain intimately, believes that what happened was a "betrayal and surrender of the Golan." He points to the existence of a written military plan, supervised by Russian experts and approved by the political leadership, to defend the Golan in case of an Israeli attack, but this plan was never implemented during the war. His wife, Laila al-Tabl, confirms the extent of the shock he experienced, and how he repeatedly stated that the Golan "could not possibly fall," expressing his desire to return and volunteer for the army.

The Book "The Fall of the Golan" and the Onset of Persecution

Buraiz did not remain silent; he decided to document his testimony in a book titled "The Fall of the Golan," which he published in 1970 at his own expense using fictitious publishing house names. In this book, he recounted his experiences and accused the Ba'ath Party leadership of negligence in managing the battle. His friend, Ahmed Rateb Armoush, who reviewed the book before its publication, advised him against releasing it for fear of his life, a concern that later proved justified.

Following the book's publication, a difficult period began for the family, as Buraiz was pursued and forced to go into hiding, moving between several homes in Beirut. He states that he was subjected to numerous attempts at abduction or assassination.

Abduction and Years in Syrian Regime Prisons

On November 1, 1970, Syrian security agencies managed to lure Khalil Buraiz through one of his close friends. Buraiz recounts the details of the sudden attack he experienced in the Janah area of Beirut, and how he was swiftly transported into Syrian territory. Thus began new and dark chapters of his life.

Buraiz spent nearly 28 years in Syrian regime prisons, moving between Mezzeh Prison, Adra Prison, and various security centers. He describes the detention conditions as harsh, having spent long periods in overcrowded cells. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges related to insulting the army and incitement, but he remained detained for additional years in what he described as "customary detention" even after his sentence had ended.

His family remained unaware of his fate for many years, despite campaigns by human rights organizations like Amnesty International demanding his release. After years of prohibition, the family was allowed to visit him once a month, and during one of these visits, he met his son Ammar, whom he initially did not recognize, having grown up during his long years of detention.

Freedom and a Fulfilled Wish

With the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011, Khalil Buraiz had the opportunity to leave Syria and seek asylum abroad. This interview was recorded with him in Malaysia, where his family revealed for the first time a story that had been kept silent for decades. His daughter states that her father always repeated his wish to live to see the end of Assad's rule, a wish that was finally fulfilled, bringing a close to a long chapter of Buraiz's life as a witness to momentous historical events.