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The Syrian government collapsed this morning after rebels seized the country’s capital, Damascus. Bashar Assad, the country’s longtime dictator, managed to escape after 24 years of rule, where he was unknown, and received political asylum in Russia. And among the many things he left behind is his large car collection that was discovered and captured on video for the first time today when fighters stormed his abandoned presidential palace.
Video posted on social networks and widely loaded show a group of men exploring a large warehouse with dozens of vehicles, from classics to supercars to an extremely rare six-wheel camper. Highlights include a Lamborghini Diablo, Mercedez-Benz SLS AMG and SL65 Black Series, Ferrari F50, Audi R8, many Toyota FJ Cruisers and Land Cruisers, and the new Land Rover Defender.
Then there are two Middle Eastern dictators: the Lamborghini LM002 SUV and the Mercedes 600 Grosser limo. Finally, the most amazing sight: a Pioneer Revconan obscure 1990s six-wheel van built on an OBS Ford F-350. To be honest, it’s a pretty average collection for a despot—no factory copies and acres of Rolls-Royces. On the other hand, they all look in command, which is a lot more than we can say about other authoritarian collections like the epic garage of the Sultan of Brunei.
In retrospect, while the video is a fun watch for car enthusiasts, it also serves as a stark reminder of how Assad lived in luxury while his regime presided over a horrific 13-year civil war. During his 24-year authoritarian rule, while al-Assad amassed valuable property with one hand, he ruthlessly ruled the citizens with the other, making the norm of life for children, mass murder, and starvation. Unfortunately, the more details about his lavish lifestyle are revealed, the more atrocities will be committed.
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