The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced on Monday the discovery of the body of Major General Ali Mahmoud, the director of Maher al-Assad's office, found dead under "mysterious circumstances" in his office in rural Damascus.

Major General Ali Mahmoud was considered close to Maher al-Assad, the brother of the fallen Syrian regime's president, Bashar al-Assad, and one of the senior leaders in the regime.

It is noted that Maher al-Assad held the position of commander of the Fourth Division, a military unit of the Syrian army and one of the most loyal forces to the regime.

Ali Mahmoud played a prominent role in many military operations led by Maher al-Assad, which resulted in the deaths of many Syrians.

Major General Mahmoud led several military campaigns in various Syrian regions, including the Daraa campaign in 2018, which ended with the regime forces taking control of the city.