Chaos and celebration: Assad’s palaces looted as Syrians mark the end of an era

Gunfire rang out at the gates of the presidential palace in Damascus early Sunday as celebratory shots gave way to looting and chaos. Reports now suggest parts of the palace are ablaze, including the entrance hall, according to French news agency AFP.

Looters also stormed a residential property several kilometers away, once home to Bashar al-Assad, who fled abroad after being overthrown overnight. By mid-morning, plumes of smoke rose from the presidential palace, and dozens of Syrians—including women and children—were seen entering Assad’s six-story residence, taking photographs and sifting through its opulent remains.

A Palace in Ruins

Furniture, documents, and personal belongings were strewn across staircases and halls. A portrait of Assad lay discarded on the floor, while some looters posed for triumphant photos sitting in the dictator’s armchair. Groups carried off items ranging from luxury furniture to smaller keepsakes, transforming the once-guarded residence into a chaotic free-for-all.

Children ran through lavishly decorated rooms, men dragged trunks across marble floors, and others carted away expensive chairs. Even perfume bottles—possibly belonging to Assad’s wife—were seized as plunderers rifled through wardrobes and drawers.

Symbol of a Fallen Regime

The Al-Rawda Palace, built in 1990 by Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, at an estimated cost of $1 billion, stood as a symbol of the regime’s power. On Sunday, it became a site of public spectacle and fury, with people wandering from room to room and removing anything they could carry.

Social media exploded with videos of armed men firing celebratory shots at the palace gates and rebels wandering through its expansive gardens. News channel Al-Arabiya aired footage of rebels taking selfies and exploring the property. Some images captured looters walking away with high-end luxury items, including porcelain and designer goods from Louis Vuitton.

The New Reality for Syria

The Syrian Foreign Ministry broke its silence on Assad’s downfall, issuing a statement on social media: “Today marks a new chapter in Syria’s history.” The ministry called for unity, describing a “national oath” to rebuild the nation. There was no mention of Assad’s whereabouts, though reports from Russia indicated he had fled the country.

The statement emphasized that Syrian embassies abroad would continue supporting citizens during the transition.

A Shocking Fall

Rebels faced little resistance as they entered the western Damascus palace. It followed Friday’s seizure of another Assad property in Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city. Assad’s flight and the regime’s collapse have reshaped the landscape of Syrian politics, with the Foreign Ministry signaling the beginning of a new era.

As celebrations continue and citizens marvel at their newfound freedom, the lavish remnants of Assad’s rule serve as a stark reminder of decades of oppression—and the profound transformation now unfolding across Syria.