In Syria, rebels burn the grave of Bashar al-Assad's father
Kyiv • UNN
Syrian rebels burned the tomb of former President Hafez al-Assad in the city of Qardaha. Statues and posters of both Assad presidents were destroyed across the country during the celebration of the regime's overthrow.
Syrian rebels in the city of Kardaha destroyed the tomb of the late President Hafez al-Assad, the father of deposed President Bashar al-Assad. This was reported by the BBC, according to UNN.
Details
It is noted that statues and posters of the late President Hafez and his son Bashar were destroyed across the country to the cheers of Syrians celebrating the overthrow of the Assad regime.
Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000. Then power passed to his son Bashar al-Assad.
The former dictatorial president was born and raised in an Alawite family, a branch of Shiite Islam and a religious minority in Syria whose main population center is in the province of Latakia. It is located near the Mediterranean coast near the border with Turkey.
Many Alawites, who make up about 10% of the country's population, were supporters of the Assads during their long tenure in power. Some of them now fear that they may be targeted by the rebels.
Recall
Bashar al-Assad left Syria amid the capture of Damascus and other major cities by opposition militant groups, and arrived in Russia, where he has already been granted asylum.
