Assad father’s tomb torched in Syrian hometown

The tomb of ousted Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad’s father, Hafez has been burnt by rebel fighters in his hometown of Qardaha.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor told journalists that the rebels had set fire to the mausoleum, located in the Latakia heartland of Assad’s Alawite community.

A footage showed parts of the mausoleum ablaze and damaged, with the tomb of Hafez torched and destroyed.

READ ALSO: Syria’s new interim leader takes charge amidst rebel backing, international scrutiny

The vast elevated structure atop a hill has an intricate architectural design with several arches, its exterior embellished with ornamentation etched in stone.

It also houses the tombs of other Assad family members, including Bashar’s brother Bassel, who was being groomed to inherit power before he was killed in a road accident in 1994.

Recall that on Sunday, a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels seized key cities before reaching Damascus and forcing Assad to flee, ending more than 50 years of his family’s rule.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now