Syrian Rebels Raid and Burn Tomb of Bashar al-Assad's Father, Hafez

Dec 11, 2024, 06:51 PM

In a significant act of defiance, Syrian rebels have set fire to the tomb of Hafez al-Assad, the former president of Syria and father of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in the family's ancestral village of Qardaha in northwestern Syria. The incident occurred four days after the fall of Assad's regime, marking a symbolic end to over fifty years of Assad family rule. Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria from 1970 to 2000, was succeeded by his son Bashar in 2000. The mausoleum, which also houses the remains of other family members, was raided by rebel fighters, and Hafez's coffin was burned. This act comes amidst widespread protests and the eventual collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government, which had been supported by Russia.