Syria: Rami Makhlouf calls for confronting opposition factions

Syrian tycoon Rami Makhlouf, cousin of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, reappeared after disappearing for a year and called for confronting the opposition factions, coinciding with its clashes with the Syrian Armed Forces.

Makhlouf appeared in a video clip in which he described the recent developments in the country as: “Shameful because the areas controlled by the opposition fighters are important and large”.

He asked for the forgiveness of the people of Aleppo and Hama, the two cities that the armed factions recently seized control of, expressing: “Forgive us; we let you down.”

Makhlouf criticised the Syrian authorities for dismantling the corresponding groups to the Syrian army and supporting them against the armed factions, as well as allowing organisations deemed to be terrorist organisations by the West to possess weapons for five years.

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Makhlouf addressed the Syrian government’s supporters, describing the opposition as: “Terrorists who want to kill you, and if they reach you, they will violate your honour and steal your money,” nominating Brigadier General Suhail Al-Hassan, nicknamed “the Tiger”, to lead the battle.

Al-Hassan led the 25th Division, a division in the Syrian army known for using intensive bombardment and a scorched earth policy before advancing on any village or town and is supported by Russia. In April, news circulated about his appointment as commander of the regime’s Special Forces; however, the decision to appoint him was not officially announced and has not been verified, according to the opposition’s Enab Baladi newspaper.

Makhlouf said that he was willing to provide 50 billion Syrian pounds (about $3.8 million) “if allowed” to support military operations during the opposition’s advance and stipulated that he give it to Al-Hassan to “distribute to the best of his knowledge.”

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