Exiled Assad loyalists in Russia are reportedly plotting new uprisings in Syria, threatening the region’s stability and potentially reigniting conflict.
Story Snapshot
- Exiled Assad loyalists, including a former spy chief, are plotting uprisings from Russia.
- They have funneled millions to recruit fighters from the Alawite minority.
- Russia provides sanctuary but withholds active support for these efforts.
- The new Syrian government is counteracting these plots actively.
Exiled Loyalists Plot Uprisings from Russia
In an unsettling development, exiled members of Syria’s former regime, including Maj. Gen. Kamal Hassan and billionaire Rami Makhlouf, are reportedly plotting new uprisings from their sanctuary in Moscow. These loyalists are funneling millions to recruit and organize fighters from the Alawite minority, aiming to regain influence in post-Assad Syria. Despite their efforts, Russia is withholding active support, prioritizing its military stability in the region over backing a new insurgency.
These loyalists, who once formed the backbone of the Assad regime, are now bitter rivals in exile. They are vying for control over an estimated 50,000 potential fighters and a network of 14 underground command rooms built during Assad’s rule. The new Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, is actively working to pre-empt these efforts by dismantling cells and networks linked to the exiles.
Russia’s Strategic Stance
While Russia hosts these exiles, it maintains a cautious stance, focusing on its military bases and long-term strategic interests in Syria rather than supporting a new pro-Assad insurgency. This restraint stems from a desire to avoid destabilizing operations that could threaten its strategic positions. As the gatekeeper in this scenario, Russia’s decision not to back the exiled loyalists significantly weakens their position and portrays a complex geopolitical balancing act.
According to sources, the prospects for a successful uprising by these loyalists are currently assessed as low. Both Hassan and Makhlouf are deeply divided, lacking Russian backing, and face mistrust from many Alawites due to their roles in past repressions. This internal division further complicates their ambitions to regain power in Syria.
New Syrian Government’s Countermeasures
The new Syrian government is not passive in the face of these threats. It has taken active measures to counter the plots, deploying former Assad insider Khaled al-Ahmad to win over the Alawite community and dismantle networks linked to the exiles. This strategy aims to reassure minorities and prevent them from rallying behind the exiled loyalists, thereby consolidating the new government’s authority and promoting long-term stability in the region.
Governor Ahmed al-Shami of Tartous, a key coastal region, has acknowledged awareness of these plots and the existence of the underground command-room network but downplays their current capabilities. Al-Shami states that Syrian authorities are ready to combat the plots, asserting that the exiles cannot accomplish anything effective due to their limited ground capabilities.
Sources:
Assad’s exiled spy chief and billionaire cousin plot Syrian uprisings from Russia
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Report: Assad’s exiled spy chief, billionaire cousin plot uprisings in Syria from Russia
