Politics

After 24 years at the helm of Syria, following in the footsteps of his father who ruled for three decades, Bashar al-Assad finally left his country on the sly.

The Arab Spring, resurrected in an expeditious form, ousted him from power, driven by an Islamist rebellion led by the HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham). Abandoned by his long-standing allies, Russia and Iran, absorbed in their own conflicts, he had no choice but to go into exile in Moscow. But while the presidential palace in Damascus burns behind him, his coffers are far from empty.

The former Syrian president fled with his family to the Russian capital, where he still finds a form of protection, even if Vladimir Putin is now keeping his distance. However, it's thanks to Putin that Assad has escaped justice and the vengeance of his opponents. But this salvation doesn't come without a generous supply of money. For despite the fall of his reign, the Assad clan isn't sinking into poverty. Their fortune accumulated over decades of power exceeds one billion dollars, according to the most modest estimates.

American reports from 2022 put their wealth at “between 1 and 2 billion dollars”. This immense wealth is divided between Bashar, his brother, sister, cousins and uncle. Discretion remains as to the assets owned by his children: Hafez, Zein and Karim. Yet behind these figures probably lies a far more impressive fortune, amassed in secret over the past fifty years.

The Assads have perfected the art of concealment. Shell companies, opaque financial arrangements and nominees have enabled the clan to hide their wealth from prying eyes. These complex financial maneuvers were often facilitated by their Russian ally, weaving an invisible but incredibly strong network to protect their wealth.

When the HTS rebels made their decisive breakthrough, a veil was lifted over this hidden opulence. A hangar overflowing with luxury cars revealed a glimpse of the splendor enjoyed by the clan. But these visible treasures are only a tiny part of a fortune carefully buried far from the hustle and bustle of Damascus.

Bashar al-Assad may have lost his throne, but he hasn't lost everything. Behind the walls of his gilded exile, wealth continues to ensure a comfortable future, while the Syria he left behind struggles to rise from the rubble of his reign.

(MH with LpR - source: Capital /Picture: picture-alliance/ dpa | Maxppp Guy Gios)