As prisoners were freed in Damascus, crowds looted former President Bashar al-Assad’s opulent mansions, amazed by his wealth. Images showed people carrying furniture and valuables from the palaces, which featured plush carpets, marble floors, and luxury items. Assad, known as “the butcher of Damascus,” fled to Moscow with his family, leaving his mansions empty. The Assad family’s wealth, estimated at £1.6bn, is believed to be hidden in various assets and offshore accounts. Their economic influence extended throughout Syria, while ordinary Syrians suffered from poverty and starvation.