Bashar al-Assad's palace destroyed after the war: Belongings stolen, some parts burned

The 13-year civil war in Syria ended on December 7 with opposition forces taking control of the capital, Damascus, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad leaving the country.

After it was revealed that Assad had left the country for Russia, the Syrian opposition declared December 8 a national holiday, marking the end of the Ba'ath regime.

While the interim Syrian government has begun its work, celebrations for the new era continue in many cities, primarily in the capital, Damascus, which has been liberated.

According to a report in Sözcü, the Presidential Palace in Damascus, used by Bashar al-Assad—who is held responsible for the events following the 13-year civil war and has since left the country—was flooded by opposition members and Syrian citizens.

Those who arrived at the palace, which is located at a vantage point overlooking Damascus and consists of dozens of rooms, took the items inside, while some parts of the palace were set on fire.

In the sections of the palace that were set on fire, in addition to items turned to ash, shattered belongings, and materials that had been emptied, broken, and destroyed were visible in the rooms.

It was observed that everything except for items too heavy to move had been taken, and that there were numerous pieces of furniture that had never been used, still in their original packaging.

Following the removal of the Assad family's personal belongings, the setting of fires in some sections, and the destruction of items inside, the opposition took precautions and banned civilians from entering the palace.