Assad Takes Advantage of Earthquake to Reassert Power

On May 23rd, the Syrian city of Aleppo suffered a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake, killing at least 26 people and causing extensive damage to infrastructure. In the aftermath of the disaster, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been using the opportunity to reassert his power.

The earthquake has provided Assad with the perfect opportunity to win back the support of Aleppo’s citizens. He has taken advantage of the situation to portray himself as a benevolent leader, ordering the military to provide assistance to those affected and overseeing the construction of temporary shelters. He has also promised to rebuild the city’s infrastructure and compensate the families of those killed in the earthquake.

In addition, Assad has sought to further strengthen his position by cracking down on potential opponents. Security forces have been deployed to the affected areas to monitor the distribution of aid, and the government has arrested dozens of activists who have attempted to organize relief efforts. Assad has also been using the disaster as leverage to gain control of the region’s resources, using the destruction caused by the earthquake to increase government control over the area’s oil and gas reserves.

The response to Assad’s actions has been mixed. Many of Aleppo’s citizens are grateful for the assistance they have received and the promise of reconstruction. However, others have criticized the government’s handling of the situation, pointing to the slow response time and lack of adequate aid.

It remains to be seen if Assad’s efforts will be successful in winning back the support of Aleppo’s citizens. The extent of the damage caused by the earthquake, combined with the ongoing civil war, means that the city’s inhabitants face a long and arduous road to recovery. Nevertheless, Assad appears determined to use the disaster to his advantage, and is likely to continue exploiting the tragedy in order to reassert his power.