2024 says goodbye with the international chronicle in turmoil. With South Korea still digesting its fleeting declaration of martial law and a failed impeachmentthe US preparing for the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the French Government revolutionized after the stunning fall of Michael Barnier, the final stretch of the year is being turbulent to say the least. If the weekend had a clear protagonist, it was, however, another: Syria. There the rebels have taken the capital and precipitated the end of Bashar al Assad’s regime after almost a quarter of a century in power.
Many photos and videos have arrived from Syria over the last few hours, but none as shocking (and eloquent) as the one that shows a hangar full of high-end cars that supposedly belong to the former president. The images are shocking for what they show, but also for what they suggest: the division of wealth during Al Assad’s harsh government.
Syria, in focus. It takes a look at the big newspapers in Europe and the United States to realize: Syria is the main protagonist of the day. And it is logical that it should be so. On Sunday, the once powerful Bashar al-Assad, at the head of the country since he took over from his father, Hafez al-Assad, almost 25 years ago, boarded a plane to secretly leave the country. His destiny, uncertain. Or so it was at least for the first few hours, before Russian state media confirmed that the ousted Syrian dictator had received asylum with his family in Moscow.
The situation in Syria has been turbulent for some time now. In fact, the revolts started in 2011, after the Arab Spring. In less than two weeks, however, the situation in the country has taken a radical turn. Taking advantage of their weakness, the expansion of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the fact that Vladimir Putin, Al Assad’s main ally, is focused on Ukraine, the rebels made a move. In a matter of 11 days they have managed to break through the cities of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Deraa and finally the capital, Damascus, precipitating the escape of Al Assad and his family.
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Walking through the palace. If Syria has left something behind over the last few hours, it is questions, especially those that have to do with its future, and images. Photos and videos have arrived from the country of people raising the rebel flag, citizens celebrating the fall of the Al Assad regime, surrendered soldiers, thousands of people taking to the streets of Damascus… and also those of Syrians – both combatants and civilians – assaulting the which until a few hours ago were the luxurious residences of Al Assad. Among them is the New Shaab Palace, a huge and sumptuous building with marble floors located on a hill overlooking western Damascus.
The Telepragh has published a selection of photos and videos shared on X in which people are seen walking through the immense palace or inside another one built in Aleppo. The recordings show a jacuzzi, the lavish offices, rooms apparently destroyed, fighters destroying portraits of Al Assad, photos taken from his personal album or even people taking bags, perfumes, clothes or even a chandelier from the ceiling. Media such as ABC News have reported on the siege of the palace and the BBC claims that its correspondent in the Middle East has witnessed the looting of one of Al-Assad’s residences.
A hangar full of luxury. The most surprising video is probably the one that was recorded in a hangar full of high-end cars that supposedly belonged to Al Assad. In the brief recording, you can see how its author advances between rows of Ferraris, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Mercedes and even what looks like a Bugatti Veyron. The piece has also achieved notable reach. In fact The Telepragh he replicated it hours ago as a sample of “Assad’s luxury car collection.”
The video has circulated quickly on X and has reached newspapers around the world: the Indians Live Mint y The Economic Timesone of the great economic publications published in English, the British The Guardian y The Times oh go Americans The New York Post and CNN. The latter in fact assures that it has verified the video in which the more than 40 high-end vehicles are seen and specifies where it was recorded: in a warehouse west of the Syrian capital, exactly north of the Al-Mazzeh neighborhood.
Why is it important? That the video has gained so much visibility is explained for several reasons. The main one, that it is powerful. It is not common to find a warehouse full of dozens and dozens of luxury cars parked next to each other. The second is the readings to which it lends itself. That Al Assad enjoyed a life of luxury and a considerable fortune is not new, but the images that have circulated in recent hours collide with the reality of Syrian society, a country with an alarming rate of poverty and that has become increasingly impoverished. in recent years.
“More than a decade of conflict aggravated by external shocks have further worsened Syria’s dire economic situation in 2023 and led to a dramatic deterioration in the well-being of Syrian households,” the World Bank warned in May. Their data were certainly eloquent: poverty affects 69% of the country’s population and 27% live in “extreme” poverty.
Images | Wikipedia and X
In WorldOfSoftware | There is a billionaire obsessed with buying the most brutal XXXL cars in the world. And his collection is amazing.
