As the Damascus Criminal Court continues its review of the cases against regime figures, particularly Wassim al-Assad, the name of Samer al-Fouz, accused of war crimes, emerges as an indispensable link for understanding the structure that connected political money with armed militias.
The trial of Wassim al-Assad, with its charges related to forming the "Military Security Shield" militia and managing widespread repression operations on the Syrian coast, remains incomplete without dismantling the network of interests that linked him to Samer al-Fouz.
The Functional Partnership Between the Field and the Treasury
The evidence indicates that the relationship between Wassim and Samer was not merely a geographical convergence in Latakia, but a functional partnership. While Wassim al-Assad provided security and militia cover through the "Military Security Shield" and the "National Defense" militias, Samer al-Fouz acted as an economic front to finance these arms. This made it impossible to separate the tasks of security repression from land grabbing, extortion of merchants, and control over the region's resources. Consequently, focusing on Wassim al-Assad as a field commander overlooks the primary driver of these groups: funding. Since returning to Syria in 2014, Foz has worked to integrate his business activities with the security apparatus, using the Military Security Shield Forces as a tool to protect his investments.
The War Oligarchy and the Strategy of Acquisition
Samer Fouz is a prime example of what is known as the war oligarchy in Syria. His name has become synonymous with transforming the armed conflict into massive investment opportunities, relying on a complex network of relationships with the regime's security agencies and field commanders. His support for militias cannot be viewed as a random act, but rather as part of a strategy to "secure and protect investments." The militias provided on-the-ground cover for Foz's projects, especially in areas that witnessed the forced displacement of residents and the confiscation of their property, enabling him to implement luxury real estate projects such as "Marota City."
Circumventing Sanctions and Financing the Regime's Repression
The role of Fawaz as the regime's economic front is evident. Reports from the US Treasury and the European Union indicate that he used his business empire, such as "Aman Holding," to finance the regime and its security apparatus, making him a key partner in sustaining the armed groups that acted as instruments of repression.
Fawaz also exploited the absence of commercial competition during the war years to monopolize vital sectors. He benefited from massive government contracts in devastated areas where his companies were granted development and investment rights after the forced displacement of residents. His network of companies operated across countries like Lebanon, Turkey, and the UAE, serving as conduits for importing essential goods and circumventing economic sanctions. Furthermore, a significant portion of the profits generated from monopolizing building materials and consumer goods was directly channeled to support loyalist armed groups, making him an integral part of the regime's repressive system.
Zaman al-Wasl
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