The Economic Exploitation of Syria by the Assad Regime

The Assad regime, led by Maher Assad’s Fourth Division, enriched itself through extensive corruption and control over Syria’s economy amid a civil war. Despite sanctions and the regime’s downfall, documents reveal staggering wealth accumulation tied to drug trade, extortion, and economic monopolies, with fears of ongoing influence and potential insurgency in the wake of their collapse.

In the rugged heights above Damascus, a notorious Syrian military unit observed the city, which it had bled dry. The elite Fourth Division, once operated by Maher Assad—brother of former president Bashar Assad—has left behind looted bases revealing immense wealth for Assad and his associates, amid widespread poverty among common Syrians.

Documents uncovered show an extensive economic network built by Maher Assad, who profited from Syria’s devastation after nearly 14 years of civil war. Allegations have persisted that he transformed Syria into a narco state, focusing particularly on the production and distribution of captagon, an illegal stimulant.

Beyond the $10 billion captagon trade exposed in 2022, the Fourth Division was involved in various illicit activities, including seizing homes and farms, looting materials from bombed buildings, collecting fees at checkpoints, and enforcing protection payments for oil deliveries, often linked to jihadist-controlled regions.

The core of this corrupt apparatus was Maher Assad’s covert offices connected by extensive underground tunnels above Damascus. Although many had been looted, some documents reveal a cash reserve of $80 million, among other assets, signifying the staggering wealth amassed through shady dealings, likely hidden abroad.

Despite restrictive western sanctions, Maher and his associates maintained a lucrative operation within Syria. The Fourth Division operated like an independent state, accumulating wealth while the general populace suffered. Some officers openly rejected the prohibitions against the U.S. dollar, making substantial profits.

As its stronghold crumbled post-Assad’s escape, the lavish lifestyles of Maher and his cronies starkly contrasted the poverty surrounding them. Even after their flight, remnants of their opulent lifestyle were evident, and desperate civilians scavenged their ruined properties in search of valuables.

Though a figure of fear in Assad’s regime, Maher Assad, labeled “the butcher” by some, was often absent in public. His complex character—terrifying when enraged yet capable of great charm—highlights the dichotomy of his role in the regime.

Ghassan Belal, head of the Fourth Division’s Security Bureau, also epitomized the division’s greed and corruption. Documents left behind tracked his extravagant expenditures and revealed details about pervasive human rights abuses, including paying for illicit drug operations.

The division’s overwhelming influence extended to various sectors of Syria’s economy, particularly metals. Its control over the production and sale of copper and iron stifled fair competition, leading to widespread economic oppression.

With the Assad regime’s downfall, lingering threats from the Fourth Division remain. Experts warn the core of loyal officers may still be organizing in coastal areas, maintaining weapons caches for potential insurgent activities should Syria’s future remain unstable.

The fall of the Assad regime unveiled the rampant corruption and economic exploitation by Maher Assad and the Fourth Division. Their extensive illicit networks thrived at the expense of the Syrian population, accumulating extreme wealth while most citizens lived in extreme poverty. Despite the regime’s collapse, the potential for a re-emergence of such corruption and violence still poses a significant threat to Syria’s future stability.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com