07.12.2025 15:45
The leaked footage from 2018 of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia, has caused a significant stir. In the images that emerged from an envelope marked "top secret" within the Presidential Palace, Assad is seen mocking a destroyed mosque in Eastern Ghouta, referring to the local population as "the worst of society," and even joking about his own surname by saying, "It should be changed to an animal name."
Al Arabiya/Al Hadath published alleged private and leaked video recordings belonging to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his former advisor Luna Shibl, who fled to Russia. The footage includes sarcastic dialogues, harsh comments, and striking statements regarding the Syrian civil war and developments on the ground.
THE FOOTAGE CAME FROM AN ENVELOPE LABELED "TOP SECRET"
The channel's reporter Mahmud al-Wawi stated that the footage was found inside an envelope marked "top secret" within the Presidential Palace, which also contained personal documents belonging to Luna Shibl. It was reported that the videos were accessed by some individuals on December 8, 2024, specifically to "show the true face of Assad to the Syrians."
CAUGHT LAUGHING AT A DESTROYED MOSQUE
The footage shows Assad and Luna Shibl mocking areas affected by some of the heaviest attacks of the civil war while driving in Eastern Ghouta. Assad is heard mocking a destroyed mosque, cursing the local population, and referring to the residents of Eastern Ghouta as "the worst of society." He is reported to have criticized people in economic distress for building mosques, likening them to "irresponsible pharaohs." Some recordings mention that Shibl's assistant Amjad Issa was also in the vehicle. In another dialogue, Shibl is reported to have used a sarcastic expression regarding Hezbollah's military power, saying, "Now they are silent." Assad's words, "We will enter Sakba, as if it hasn't been liberated," are also included in the recordings.
"I FEEL NOT ONLY SHAME BUT DISGUST"
In part of the leaked recordings, Assad and Shibl are seen mocking Syrian soldiers who used to kiss Assad's hand in the past. In another video, a general is heard saying to Assad, "I will kiss your hand and foot" in front of numerous soldiers. It is reported that Assad expressed a desire to climb on top of a tank for a propaganda photo, stating, "I feel not only shame but disgust" regarding the situation in Syria. Shibl is noted to have made sarcastic remarks about the police and the Interior Minister, mocking the frequent news about the police on social media.
"THEY HAVE NO FOOD BUT THEY SPEND ON MOSQUES"
The footage shows Luna Shibl making sarcastic remarks about one of Syria's prominent commanders, Suheil Hasan, saying, "He has put his foot on Mount Qasyun, posing with Russian bodyguards"; Assad refers to Hasan as "the owner of strange theories." The recordings also capture Assad targeting the public by saying, "They have no food but they spend on mosques." Shibl is reported to have belittled Syrians by imitating military radio communications, describing them as "polite." In another video, Shibl states, "Our young people completely emptied Jobar, leaving nothing behind." During a vehicle journey through destroyed streets, Shibl is seen telling Assad, "You have no tolerance for discussing humanitarian issues, but you come alive when it comes to military matters."
HE EVEN MADE FUN OF HIS OWN LAST NAME
In another striking clip, Assad is heard making fun of his own last name, saying, "It needs to be changed to an animal name." The leaked footage has caused a significant stir in the Syrian public, with reporter Mahmud al-Wawi stating that the recordings had an even greater shock effect on Assad's supporters than on the opposition.