Assad regime confiscates opposition properties

The Syrian security services have confiscated properties in Latakia and neighbouring suburbs belonging to citizens linked to the opposition, PLS48.net has reported.

Activists in the area claim that a large group of armed soldiers stormed a building owned by a family known to support the opposition. The soldiers found Syrians living there who had been displaced from Homs and Aleppo. They obliged them to sign contracts to pay a monthly rent to the regime, or what they call the “martyrs’ fund”. More than 30 buildings have been confiscated in this manner, said the activists, although up to 100 are vulnerable.

According to the news website, this is not the first time that the regime has taken such steps. On a previous occasion, property belonging to opposition official Khalid Kamal and others was taken over by the regime. This, say the local activists, demonstrates that the Assad regime in Damascus is in dire need of funds. The Syrian currency has fallen in value leading to serious price increases of basic necessities.