The final months of 2024 have been marked by geopolitical upheaval. The U.S. is preparing for President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, South Korea grapples with the aftermath of a failed impeachment and brief martial law, and France remains unsettled after Michel Barnier’s sudden removal. Yet, the weekend’s defining story came from Syria, where rebels seized Damascus, marking the end of dictator Bashar al-Assad’s nearly 25-year rule.
Among the many photos and videos emerging from Syria, one stands out: A hangar filled with high-end cars, allegedly belonging to the former president. The footage is shocking not just for its opulence but for what it underscores about inequality during Assad’s rule.
Syria in the spotlight. Syria dominated global headlines on Sunday as Assad fled the country. The long-reigning leader, who inherited power from his father, the late President Hafez al-Assad, departed in secrecy aboard a private plane. Speculation about his whereabouts ended when Russian state media confirmed that the Assad family had been granted asylum in Moscow.
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The country has been embroiled in conflict since 2011, spurred by the Arab Spring uprisings. In the past two weeks, events took a decisive turn. Exploiting the Assad regime’s vulnerability, heightened by the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia’s focus on Ukraine, rebels launched a rapid offensive. Within 11 days, they captured Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Daraa, and finally Damascus, forcing Assad’s departure.
Scenes of excess and celebration. In the hours following Assad’s flight, a flood of images and videos depicted Syria’s transformation. Crowds waved the rebel flag, soldiers surrendered, and civilians took to the streets of Damascus in celebration. One of the most striking visuals came from the New Shaab Palace, Assad’s opulent residence overlooking western Damascus.
Videos shared by The Telegraph on X show rebels wandering through the palace’s marble-floored halls, looting luxury items such as perfumes, clothes, and even chandeliers. Similar scenes unfolded at another palace in Aleppo. The BBC reported on the looting, with its Middle East correspondent witnessing firsthand the dismantling of Assad’s once-grand residences.
A hangar of luxury cars. Perhaps the most astonishing footage shows a warehouse filled with luxury vehicles. The video, which has gone viral, reveals rows of Ferraris, Aston Martins, Rolls-Royces, BMWs, Mercedes, and a Bugatti Veyron, allegedly part of Assad’s personal collection.
According to CNN, the video was filmed in a warehouse near Al-Mazzeh, a neighborhood west of Damascus. The footage has since been verified, showcasing more than 40 high-end cars, each a glaring symbol of excess amid Syria’s economic despair.
Why it matters. The hangar of luxury cars is significant for several reasons. First, it underscores the vast wealth Assad accumulated during his decades in power. While his lavish lifestyle was no secret, the stark contrast between his opulence and the reality of most Syrians has struck a nerve.
Syria has faced extreme poverty exacerbated by over a decade of war. In May, the World Bank reported that 69% of Syrians live in poverty, with 27% in “extreme” deprivation. “More than a decade of conflict compounded by external shocks have further worsened Syria’s dire economic situation in 2023 and led to a dramatic deterioration in the welfare of Syrian households,” the World Bank warned.
Image | Kremlin.ru | The Telegraph
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