On November 27, 2024, one of the most significant political developments of the 21st century occurred in Syria. Opposition groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), overthrew the Ba’ath Party, which had been in power for 61 years. The Assad regime, responsible for the deaths of millions during the civil war that began in 2011, was thus erased from the stage of history.
In the aftermath of the regime’s collapse in Damascus, the people are trying to rebuild and start anew, while the massive fortune that Assad took with him as he fled Syria has caused a major stir in the international community.
$135 Billion Stolen
According to statements from Khaled Beyye, a former intelligence official under the Syrian regime, Bashar al-Assad stole a staggering $135 billion from the country. Beyye revealed that before the regime’s downfall, there was intense infighting between pro-Russia and Iran-backed factions within the leadership, leading to significant internal turmoil.
The first serious clash between the commander of Aleppo, General Mohammad Safadli, and Russia’s loyal general, Suheil Hassan, disrupted the flow of information and created chaos within the regime forces. The fall of Aleppo set the stage for the opposition to advance all the way to Damascus.
273 High-Ranking Commanders Executed
During the collapse of the regime, not only external warfare but also internal purges came to the forefront. According to Khaled Beyye, the Assad regime executed 273 high-ranking commanders from its own ranks. This accelerated the internal disintegration of the regime, paving the way for the final blow delivered by the opposition forces.
