Lebanese authorities arrested Rasha Khazem and her daughter Shams at the Beirut airport while they were attempting to fly to Egypt with allegedly forged passports. Khazem is the wife of Duraid Assad, a cousin of Syria’s deposed president Bashar Assad. This incident follows the indictment of Rifaat Assad for war crimes in Switzerland, highlighting significant unrest connected to the Assad family amid the Syrian conflict.
On Friday, Lebanese officials confirmed the arrest of Rasha Khazem, the wife of Duraid Assad, and their daughter Shams at Beirut International Airport. They were attempting to depart for Egypt using allegedly forged passports. Duraid Assad is the son of former Syrian Vice President Rifaat Assad, uncle to deposed President Bashar Assad. Notably, Rifaat flew out the previous day without incident. The arrests highlight ongoing tensions stemming from the fallout of the Syrian conflict and the implications for families connected to the Assad regime.
The situation surrounding Bashar Assad’s regime has seen significant upheaval, particularly following the recent insurrection forces entering Damascus. The complex history of Syrian governance plays a crucial role in understanding the current dynamics, particularly regarding the Assad family, whose ties to atrocities committed during the Syrian war have drawn international scrutiny. Notably, Rifaat Assad, once a prominent military figure known as the ‘Butcher of Hama,’ has been indicted for war crimes in Switzerland, complicating the Assad family’s already precarious position.
The recent arrest of relatives of Bashar Assad reflects the surrounding volatility in Lebanon amidst the ongoing Syrian crisis. It underscores the legal actions being pursued against members of the Assad regime, including high-profile accusations of war crimes. As more figures associated with the former regime face scrutiny, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the future stability of both Syria and Lebanon, where many associated with the regime are seeking refuge.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
