Report: Al-Assad's close associates are planning uprisings in Syria from their exile in Russia

Individuals formerly loyal to ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad are allegedly channeling millions of dollars to tens of thousands of potential fighters, aiming to spark uprisings against the nations emerging government, according to a Reuters investigation.

The report, based on interviews with 48 sources and an analysis of financial documents, coincides with the first anniversary of al-Assads removal and the growing international recognition of President Ahmed al-Sharaas administration. These activities could threaten to trigger renewed sectarian conflict during Syrias delicate transitional period.

Two former close associates of al-Assad Major-General Kamal Hassan, who once led military intelligence, and billionaire cousin Rami Makhlouf are allegedly competing from Moscow to assemble militias within Syrias Alawite community, historically aligned with the Assad regime. According to Reuters, they are funding over 50,000 fighters in attempts to secure their loyalty.

Hassan, notorious for overseeing the regimes military detention system, reportedly communicates with commanders from his residence in Moscow, expressing frustration over his lost authority and describing ambitious plans to control Syrias coastal regions, a traditional Alawite stronghold. In one message reviewed by Reuters, he urged followers to remain armed and patient, promising to restore their dignity.

Makhlouf, who previously financed the Assad regime during the 14-year civil war and later spent years under house arrest after a family feud, is now reportedly presenting himself as a messianic figure in conversations, promising a return to power following a climactic confrontation.

Both men are believed to seek control over 14 underground command centers and weapons stockpiles in coastal Syria, which were constructed during the final years of al-Assads rule. Photographs reviewed by Reuters show rooms filled with rifles, ammunition, grenades, computers, and communications equipment.

Hassan claims command of 12,000 fighters, spending $1.5 million since March, while Makhlouf reports at least 54,000 fighters with $6 million in expenditures on salaries, according to internal documents and financial records obtained by Reuters. Fighters on the ground reportedly receive modest pay of $20$30 per month, often taking money from multiple sources.

Despite these efforts, experts suggest a successful rebellion is unlikely. The exiled leaders are reportedly in sharp conflict, Russia has withheld active support, and mistrust within the Alawite community toward them remains high. Moscow, which provided asylum to al-Assad, has shifted toward supporting Sharaas government to protect its Mediterranean bases in Tartous, the very region targeted by the plotters.

The new Syrian administration is pursuing countermeasures through Khaled al-Ahmad, an Alawite and childhood friend of Sharaa, who is tasked with persuading former soldiers and civilians to align with the emerging government. Ahmed al-Shami, governor of Tartous, told Reuters that authorities are aware of the plans and prepared to neutralize them, noting the plotters lack substantial on-the-ground influence.

The revelations come amid ongoing challenges in Syria, including Israeli military actions, demands for security buffers, and sectarian unrest that erupted in March and July. Recently, Syria hosted a UN Security Council delegation for the first time, reflecting the increasing international recognition of President Sharaas efforts to stabilize the fractured country.

Author: Gavin Porter