Since mid-2019, the rift between Bashar al-Assad and his maternal cousin and tycoon Rami Makhlouf has been growing wider, despite both parties’ initial attempts to find solutions and to keep the dispute from the public. However, with Rami Makhlouf’s media appearance, earlier this year, contesting government measures to seize his assets, it seems that loyalist support is gradually leaning away from Assad. Public opinion varies on the issue, curious about the truth of what exactly went on behind the scenes to cause this feud.
The quarrel came after the creation of the Anti-Corruption Committee which took place in parallel with big changes in the leadership of security services. Major General Ali Mamlouk was discharged and appointed as security advisor to Assad, supervising the work of the committee that stayed secret for months.
A source confirmed that the committee was divided into two subcommittees, each working independently, but both under the command of the chairman and his assistant:
1. The Military and Security Committee came to be directly under the supervision of Assad, meeting monthly at the presidential palace with his presence or Ali Mamlouk to present what was achieved during that month and future plans for the upcoming months.
Major Talal Makhlouf was appointed the chair of the committee, which includes:
Major General Talal Makhlouf, former commander of the Republican Guard and the second Corps. He was discharged in October 2019 to work as a military and security advisor.
Major General Asif Al-Dakr, head of Branch 293 in the Military Intelligence Division, and former head of the Anti-Corruption Committee.
Major General Adham Abdel-Razzaq Razouk, Chief of Staff of the Central Command.
Brigadier General Kamal Sarem, former Republican Guard officer and currently Deputy Commander of the 14th Special Forces Division.
Brigadier General Safa Makhlouf, an officer in the Human Resources Department.
Retired Brigadier General Rajab Deeb, who studied military science in the Soviet Union and served in several military divisions. He works as a lecturer in a military academy.
Colonel Ahmed Hussein Al-Suwairi, from the Ministry of Interior.
Colonel Ali Deeb (current workplace is unknown).
2. The Financial and Administrative Committee is chaired by Asma al-Assad with the names of some of its members still undisclosed. Zaman al Wasl was able to acquire the names of most of the members, which include:
Major General Ali Mamlouk.
Amna Al Shammat, head of the Central Commission for Inspection and Control.
Bassam Abdul Nabi, Deputy Minister of Finance.
Munther Wanous, Director of the General Commission for Taxes and Fees.
Attorney General of the Ministry of Justice.
Mohamed Abdul Karim Barq, head of the Central Agency for Financial Supervision.
Executive specialists from Damascus University and Tishreen University.
Two executive members from the Central Agency for Financial Supervision.
The work of this committee is characterized by great secrecy, dealing with highly influential personalities as well as members of the administration, including ministers, governors, municipalities, members of the people’s assembly, members of trade unions, party leaders, and others. Thus far, the committee has confiscated the property of a number of the most prominent business tycoons, and has audited several companies and individuals.
Rami Makhlouf was among the personalities that were put under the microscope, concerning his mobile network company Syriatel, Al-Bustan Association, and Ramak Charity.
It is rather ironic that Assad’s corrupt regime would set up a committee that supposedly fights corruption. Many believe that its creation was under Russian and Iranian recommendations over the threat that these influential people may pose on the structure and existence of the regime during the difficult economic situation that the country is witnessing.
Other theories were suggested, including the empty state treasury which led Assad to pressure these businessmen in order to finance the central bank; or pursuing them financially to pay the billions of dollars that it owes to Russia; or a precaution against them smuggling their money outside the country, with the US’s Caesar law hanging over them for months.
Whatever the motive behind the regime’s actions, it had led to Assad gaining billions of dollars from the same businessmen that were once considered as his partners. However, not a penny of these billions has reached the Syrian people, with the Syrian pound’s continued free fall, and the complete collapse of the country’s economy.
On Wednesday, the US State Department said it had designated 39 Syrian individuals, including Assad, his wife and members of their extended family, military leaders and business executives. Many were already subject to US sanctions, but the penalties also target non-Syrians who do business with them, according to AFP.
The sanctions only hit areas under Assad’s control but since the local currency is also used in the Kurdish-led autonomous region, the salary hikes appear aimed at preserving the local population's purchasing power as the Syrian pound crumbles.
The American sanctions are the result of legislation known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, named after the pseudonym of a Syrian policeman who turned over photographs of thousands of victims of torture by the Assad regime.
Shortly before the announcements of the new US sanctions Wednesday, Syria devalued its currency by 44 percent and announced a new official exchange rate for the pound.
Syria’s troubled economy has sharply deteriorated, prices have soared and the pound had collapsed in recent weeks, partly because of fears that the sanctions would further isolate the country.
Zaman Al Wasl
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