Syrian opposition burns mausoleum of President Hafez al-Assad

(CLO) The mausoleum of Hafez al-Assad, the late President of Syria and father of ousted President Bashar Assad, was burned by the opposition in his hometown.

According to video footage, the mausoleum of Hafez al-Assad, the late Syrian President who ruled Syria for decades, was attacked and burned in his hometown of Qardaha.

The mausoleum is a massive structure with elaborate decorations. It is located in the Latakia region, which is the center of the Assad family's Alawite community.

The mausoleum of former President Hafez al-Assad was burned. Photo: Getty Images

Video footage shows opposition soldiers and local residents watching the mausoleum burn.

Hafez al-Assad came to power in Syria in the second half of the 20th century. His eldest son, Bassel al-Assad, was initially groomed to succeed his father, but Bassel died in a car accident in 1994.

After Hafez al-Assad died in June 2000, Bashar al-Assad became his successor.

After years of confrontation with the Assad regime, Islamist militants and their allies launched a lightning offensive to successfully overthrow the government.

Mr Assad and his family fled to Russia, where they were granted political asylum. Russia and Iran have been the main backers of Mr Assad's government since the civil war began in 2011.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group leading the opposition coalition, currently runs Syria's interim government . Originally an al-Qaeda affiliate, HTS has tried to change its image in recent years.

Mohammed al-Bashir, head of HTS's "Salvation Government" in the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, has been appointed interim prime minister and announced he will take over during a transition period lasting until March 2025.

Ha Trang (according to DW)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phe-doi-lap-o-syria-dot-lang-mo-co-tong-thong-hafez-al-assad-post325320.html