Damascus, Syria – A Reuters investigation has revealed that two of the most prominent former officials in the regime of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who are currently residing in Russia,
They are working to finance and equip two armed uprisings against the new Syrian government led
by President Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly Abu Muhammad al-Julani).
According to the investigation, Major General Kamal Hassan, the former head of military intelligence,
and businessman Rami Makhlouf, Assad’s cousin, are spending money
One of Syria’s richest men in recent decades, he spent millions of dollars
recruiting tens of thousands of potential fighters.
Especially from the Alawite sect in the Syrian coast and Lebanon,
with the aim of restoring their influence after the fall of the regime in December 2024.
A recruitment and funding network exceeding 50,000 fighters
Documents and interviews conducted by Reuters with 48 people familiar with the matter indicate
that the two men are funding more than 50,000 potential fighters across rival factions.
Hassan claims to control 12,000 fighters in Syria and Lebanon, while Makhlouf says
he has influence over 54,000 spread across dozens of battalions.
Both sides are also seeking to control 14 secret underground command
rooms built during Assad’s rule near the coast,
which contain caches of weapons, ammunition, and advanced communications equipment.
According to officers who spoke to Reuters, these rooms have become
a “strategic treasure” that the two men are vying to control.
Disputes within the old upper circle
The investigation states that Bashar al-Assad, who has been living in Moscow
since his downfall, “has succumbed to the idea of exile.”
Meanwhile, his brother Maher al-Assad appears hesitant to support these moves,
despite retaining the loyalty of thousands of fighters from the former Fourth Division.
Makhlouf and Hassan also suffer from sharp disagreements between them,
which reduces the chances of success for any military action.
The new government is enlisting the help of an old ally of Assad
To counter this scheme, the Shara’ government enlisted the help of Khaled al-Ahmad,
one of the most prominent former Alawite leaders close to Assad, who later became an ally of Shara’.
Al-Ahmad is working to convince the Alawites that the future lies with the new state,
and is leading employment and development programs to reduce tensions.
In addition to helping thwart cells linked to the plot,
In October, authorities announced the arrest of a group
that was planning to assassinate journalists and activists.
Moscow disavows
Despite the two men being in Russia, diplomatic sources indicate
that the Kremlin is unwilling to support any rebellion.
Moscow is focused on maintaining its military bases on the Syrian coast.
President al-Shara’s visit to Moscow in October sent a clear message to the conspirators.
According to a well-informed diplomat: “No one outside will come to your rescue.”
Risk of a new explosion
The report warns that any armed action could threaten the fragile stability in “the new Syria”,
Especially after the waves of sectarian violence that the country witnessed in early 2025,
This occurred when approximately 1,500 Alawite civilians
were killed following a failed uprising in the Latakia countryside.
Despite the massive funding, Tartus Governor Ahmed al-Shami says
the rebels are “unable to implement anything effective.”
This is due to their weak capabilities and the disintegration of their networks.
