Groups of Syrians were seen wandering through the palaces of President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday after his ouster, with some taking souvenirs and others posing for photographs in the grand rooms. Video footage obtained by Reuters showed individuals entering the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, where children ran through the ornate halls and men dragged large trunks across the floor. Some carried furniture and ornaments, while cupboards in storerooms had been ransacked.
Mostly teenagers grabbing all the loot from Assad’s house in Damascus. pic.twitter.com/uavOEMYMep
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) December 8, 2024
Another video, showing the Muhajreen Palace, depicted groups of men and women walking through its white marble floors and tall wooden doors. One man was seen carrying a vase, while a large empty cabinet stood with its doors open.
The rebel forces seized control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing Assad to flee the capital and effectively bringing an end to his family’s rule after more than 13 years of civil war. This marks a dramatic turning point for Syria, with Assad’s absence confirmed by two senior army officers who revealed that the president had flown out of Damascus for an undisclosed location. Despite the rebel advance, no sign of army deployment was observed in the capital, signaling the collapse of Assad’s regime.
