The flight of Bashar al-Assad and his family to Russia not only marked the end of a decades-long regime, but also provided a glimpse (see below) into the secret retreats of the Assad family. When rebels captured Damascus, they discovered an extensive network of escape tunnels and a huge nuclear bunker beneath Assad’s residence.
A video purporting to show Major General Maher al-Assad’s ‘villa’ leads into a labyrinthine tunnel system with high, vaulted ceilings – wide enough to allow trucks carrying Captagon (drugs that fund the Syrian regime) and gold to pass .
Luxury, even deep underground
The underground facility will be equipped with living rooms, bedrooms and huge security doors. Another video, also reminiscent of Hollywood films, shows the remains of a nuclear bunker under Bashar al-Assad’s property. The photos show reinforced doors, long stairs and even a living room with sofas and a coffee table.
Welcome to the tunnel:
But now there is only chaos: open drawers, scattered suitcases and looted objects show that looters have apparently already entered the building.
Rebels comb through lush estates
After years of oppression, Syrian rebels struck and captured the capital Damascus without resistance. President Bashar al-Assad fled with his British wife Asma and their three children to Moscow, where the family has already been granted asylum.
Meanwhile, rebels comb the opulent estates and now provide insight into the lives of the ruthless rulers: tunnels leading to the depths and unimaginable luxury in the middle of a country in ruins due to the civil war.
Looting or hasty escape? What remains is chaos:
Rescue from the “slaughterhouse”
In addition to the tunnel network, the infamous Saydnayah prison, known as the ‘slaughterhouse’, also came into focus. Rebels claim to have freed hundreds of prisoners, including women and children, from underground cells. But many people are still held in “red cells” – areas known for brutal conditions and mass executions.
A fragile aftermath
While Syria hopes for the dawn of a new era, the future remains uncertain. Millions of Syrians could return to their homeland after years of exile. But the traces of looting, escapes and decades of oppression will remain visible for a long time. What remains is the image of a fallen regime that hid from its own people in underground fortresses.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
