Syrian citizens looted Bashar al-Assad’s palace: see the luxurious cars he had

While strolling through the opulent Damascus home of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Abu Omar felt a sense of dizzying defiance as he stood in the residence of the man who he said had long oppressed him.

“I’m taking pictures because I’m very happy to be here in the middle of your house,” the 44-year-old said, showing photos he took with his mobile phone.

He was among dozens of people an AFP news agency correspondent saw entering Assad’s home after he fled the country (to Moscow, according to Russian news agencies). as the rebels took control of the capital in an 11-day lightning offensive.

(Read also: This is the situation in Syria after the fall of Bashar Al Assad’s regime)

“I came to take revenge”: Syrian citizen

The rapid campaign of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies It ended more than five decades of brutal rule by the Assad family.

“I came to take revenge. They oppressed us in incredible ways”added Abu Omar from the complex of three six-story buildings in the exclusive Al Maliki neighborhood.

Jubilant men, women and children wandered dazedly through the house and its large garden; The rooms were empty except for some furniture and a portrait of Assad lying on the floor.

Residents of the Syrian capital were seen cheering in the streets as rebel factions announced the departure of “tyrant” Assad.

(Read also: Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad receives asylum in Russia, Kremlin says)

The government fell more than 13 years after Assad’s crackdown on anti-government protests sparked Syria’s civil war, which has involved foreign powers and jihadists and has claimed more than half a million lives.