Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) documents in this brief report the looting, theft, and vandalism acts that occurred at several government institutions, involving military personnel and civilians. The institutions targeted included the Central Bank of Syria, the fifth branch of the Commercial Bank in Damascus, the General Corporation for Potable Water and Sanitation in Damascus, the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in Damascus, the power plant in al-Qutayfah and the Deir al-Hajar station for agricultural research in rural Damascus.
As the fall of the Syrian government approached, incidents of theft and looting began in several governorates, particularly in Damascus and its surrounding areas. This surge in criminal activity peaked on the night of 7 December 2024, after government employees left their institutions, and there was a near certainty that the Assad regime was on the verge of collapse. Following the official announcement of the regime’s downfall on 8 December 2024, and Bashar al-Assad’s flight, thefts became even more widespread.
The types of stolen goods varied, including cash, assets, and important documentation, with some institutions experiencing the intentional destruction of documents and identification papers. At the Central Bank of Syria, a significant amount of money was stolen, although the total value remains undetermined. Reports indicated that thieves faced difficulty accessing the funds stored in the main safes, and sources have yet to confirm the total amount stolen.
It is important to note that the looting incidents were not limited to Damascus and its countryside; many other governorates in Syria experienced similar events on different scales. However, the identity of those responsible and the underlying motives behind these looting operations remain unclear.
The report is based on interviews conducted by STJ researchers with six former employees who witnessed incidents of theft, looting, and the destruction of files. The interviews were held in person, and all the witnesses were informed about how their statements would be used, including in this report. They were assured that their anonymity would be preserved, as they had requested.
Notably, STJ decided to publish information about the institutions mentioned in the report after obtaining adequate evidence, including direct testimonies, photographs, and videos that convincingly demonstrate acts of sabotage and theft.
To read the full report in PDF format, click here.