Скачать или смотреть Inside Assad's forces' vast tunnels revealed under Syria's Mount Qasioun

(7 Jan 2025)
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4544928

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mount Qasioun, Damascus, Syria - 5 January 2025
1. Drone footage of the Syrian Republican Guard headquarters on Mount Qasioun ++MUTE++
2. Various of member of the security forces of the new Syrian administration inside tunnel
3. Various of rooms inside old tunnels
4. Member of the security forces tearing down picture of former President Hafez Assad
5. Member of the security forces removing picture of former President Bashar Assad
6. Member of the security forces stepping on head of statue of Bashar Assad
7. Various of rusty shells
8. Banner with portraits of Hafez and Bashar Assad reading (Arabic) "Republican Guards, 105 Brigade, Battalion 489".
9. Wide of Mount Qasioun
STORYLINE:
Under Syria's Mount Qasioun, the highest point overlooking Damascus and its suburbs, forces loyal to the Assad family dug a network of tunnels allegedly connecting the headquarters of the Republican Guard to the presidential palace.

Associated Press footage showed the Republican Guard complex - a sprawling site spread over 12 square kilometres and tunnels dug during Assad's family rule.

The vast network of tunnels and bunker rooms allegedly led to the presidential palace.

Weapons depots were built on Mount Qasioun to store what some said were sophisticated weapons for Syria's elite forces - the Republican Guards and the 4th Division of the Syrian Army, led by Maher Assad, Bashar's brother.

During the civil war, Mount Qasioun was used as a firing point for artillery targeting opposition rebel positions in Damascus and its suburbs.

After the fall of Bashar Assad, Israel targeted military sites and weapons depots in different areas of Damascus.

Following the ouster of Assad, Mount Qasioun was one of the first places taken by the insurgent group that is now leading the new transitional government.

Rusty barrel bombs and landmines were found in the complex along with light and heavy weapons and military vehicles.

Member of the security forces of the new Syrian administration walked through the tunnels and tore down pictures of the Assads on walls.

Outside, as in many other areas, lay the head of a toppled statue of Bashar Assad whose family governed the country for over 50 years.

AP video shot by Omar Albam

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