The abandoned summer villa of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, once a symbol of his opulent lifestyle, is now a stark reminder of his fall from power. Syrians are thronging to the looted property, exploring the empty rooms and taking souvenirs. The villa's transformation reflects the dramatic social and political changes sweeping Syria.
The summer home of ousted Syria n leader Bashar al-Assad, once off-limits to ordinary Syria ns, is now a popular destination for curious visitors. People queue up to explore the empty rooms, stripped bare after being looted following the fall of the Assad regime last month. A winding road leads to the villa, situated outside Latakia on Syria 's Mediterranean coast. Lush orange and olive trees line the road, but the quiet is punctuated by the sounds of electric sawing.
Dozens of Syrians are busy cutting and collecting wood branches, transporting them away on trucks, bicycles, and motorcycles. Hanan Sary, a 40-year-old local, explains that this forest was previously inaccessible to villagers who lacked the right kind of wood for burning. 'See our land with all these olives, we could never enter it before, but now we're here,' she says. The villa itself is a modern white building surrounded by gardens of cacti, palm trees, and flowers. It boasts a sprawling layout with a massive kitchen, swimming pool, and private beach. Inside, the once opulent home is now devoid of furniture. Looting took place quickly after Assad and his family fled Syria. Exposed wires on walls where TVs were removed, yanked light fixtures from ceilings, shattered glass, and missing sinks from bathroom counters are all evidence of the ransacking. Even heating and air conditioning units have disappeared. The villa's vastness is evident in its countless walk-in closets, ensuite bathrooms with modern showers, and numerous bedrooms. The primary bathroom features a large Jacuzzi bathtub overlooking the Mediterranean, now serving as a stark reminder of the former ruler's opulence. The toilet, shower, and mirror are all smashed. The kitchen, equipped with a bar, large sinks, and countertops fit for a professional chef, is now a shell of its former grandeur. Black spray-painted graffiti cursing the deposed leader adorns the walls of one living room.Mohamed Ismail, a 25-year-old visitor, poses for photos on one of the villa's multiple balconies, expressing both fascination and bitterness. 'He kept his people living in poverty while he lived in a palace with a million rooms,' he says about Assad. Outside, the gardens are meticulously manicured and expansive. They include a space for entertaining, featuring a pizza oven, bar, and outdoor cooking area. A swimming pool, along with showers and bathrooms for rinsing off, completes the picture of a luxurious retreat. What was once the home of one of the world's most secretive dictators is now open to Syrians who were once too afraid to speak out against him. They freely wander around what was once his living room, a testament to the dramatic shift in power and the people's newfound access to spaces once deemed inaccessible
Bashar Al-Assad Syria Looting Villa Fall Of A Dictator Social Change Political Turmoil
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