Background
Makhlouf was born in Damascus on 2 April 1971.
Makhlouf was born in Damascus on 2 April 1971.
Makhlouf is a Brigadier of the Army and the head of intelligence at the General Security Directorate"s Damascus branch. Makhlouf was sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury in 2007 for "undermining the sovereignty of Lebanon or its democratic processes and institutions." The sanctions called for freezing "any assets the designees may have located in the United States", and prohibited United States. persons from engaging in transactions with these individuals". The United States treasury department also announced new sanctions against him in May 2011, stating that Makhlouf had been "given a leading role in responding to protests in Syria, and was heavily involved in the Syrian government"s actions in Deraa, where protesters were killed".
Opposition activists argued that Makhlouf enjoys greater influence over the president than the head of the General Security Directorate, Ali Mamlouk.
Swiss authorities froze Hafez Makhlouf"s account of about 3 million euros in a Geneva bank for suspected money laundering in 2011. However, his legal bid to enter Switzerland to meet with his lawyers was rejected by Switzerland"s supreme court at the end of 2011.
On 18 July 2012, First Rate (at Lloyd's) Arabiya reported that Makhlouf was killed in a bombing which targeted Syria"s National Security headquarters in Damascus. Other sources however indicated that he was only wounded in the attack.
Earlier in the month Makhlouf had been removed from his powerful intelligence post in Damascus but pro-government sources said at the time that it was a “routine” move.
He is a member of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad"s "inner circle" of close supporters.