How the Assads Exploited Syria’s Resources and Wealth

Maher al-Assad’s Fourth Division exemplified corruption in Syria, exploiting the civil war to amass wealth through illegal activities. Despite years of sanctions, the division operated independently, conducting systematic theft and extortion. The chaos following their exit has left lingering economic challenges and potential grounds for future unrest.

In the outskirts of Damascus, remnants of the Fourth Division’s corrupt operations under Maher al-Assad reveal a vast economic empire built on exploiting Syria’s suffering populace. Despite the ongoing civil war and poverty afflicting ordinary Syrians, Maher and his supporters amassed immense wealth through various illicit activities, including the captagon trade and resource expropriation.

Key illegal activities included:
– Expropriating homes and farmland
– Looting food and electronics
– Plundering metal and copper from destroyed buildings
– Collecting extortion fees at checkpoints
– Running protection rackets, particularly involving oil shipments
– Dominating the tobacco and metal markets.

Maher al-Assad operated from a high-security underground complex, from which he managed his illicit schemes. Documents recovered from these sites show staggering amounts of cash on hand, indicating that the wealth generated from corruption was immense and readily accessible.

Maher was well-known for his ruthless reputation, often referred to as “the butcher” due to his brutal tactics during the Syrian uprising. His elusive nature kept him largely out of the public eye, though accounts reveal a complex personality capable of both generosity and extreme violence.

Alongside Maher, Ghassan Belal, head of the Security Bureau, played a significant role in the division’s criminal activities, living a lavish lifestyle while families suffered from deprivation under the regime. Payments from sanctioned businessmen and corrupt practices significantly enriched Maher and his network.

The Fourth Division functioned almost autonomously, surviving despite strict international sanctions. Its operations persisted unchecked until the regime’s downfall, which revealed a system rife with corruption and exploitation, deeply ingraining a legacy of violence and poverty in Syria.

Despite the looting that followed their exit, substantial wealth likely remains hidden abroad. Even after leaving office, their practices pose a potential risk, with analysts warning that the division’s remnants could fuel future insurgency, given their historical power and resources.

The Fourth Division, led by Maher al-Assad, exploited Syria’s misery through extensive corruption and criminal activities, contributing significantly to the country’s ongoing suffering. Their practices included extensive narcotics trafficking and extortion, which allowed Maher and his associates to accumulate vast wealth. The legacy of their greed threatens to foster continued instability in Syria, with many believing that the division’s influence may resurface in future conflicts.

Original Source: www.france24.com