Watan – Latakia, a coastal city in Syria, has become the epicenter of a disturbing controversy that underscores the unchecked power of the country’s ruling elite. A seemingly minor traffic disagreement has spiraled into a violent episode, with a member of President Bashar al-Assad‘s family at its heart.

According to local sources, the initial dispute involved Ali al-Assad, a cousin of the Syrian president, and a young man identified as Hamza S. The disagreement took a dark turn when Hassan Tawfiq al-Assad, another of Bashar’s cousins, and his father allegedly retaliated. They are accused of not only burning down Hamza’s house but also assaulting his mother, Rima Haddad, a respected figure in the community and the manager of Latakia’s “Savings” bank. Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing scene where Haddad was reportedly struck on the head with the butt of a firearm.

The violence didn’t end there. The perpetrators then allegedly targeted a gas station owned by Haddad and her husband in the village of Al-Hawiz. Local residents were terrorized as shots and missiles were fired, leading to the complete destruction of the station.

While the incident has ignited outrage, the response from official channels has been notably muted. The Syrian Ministry of Interior acknowledged the episode but offered a narrative that seemed to downplay the severity and shield the Assad family. They reported a raid on Hassan al-Assad’s residence and the confiscation of several vehicles. However, local sources suggest this was merely a facade, with the vehicles returned shortly after, hinting at a possible cover-up to quell public anger.

As the story unfolds, the residents of Latakia and observers worldwide await justice, highlighting the broader challenges of power, privilege, and accountability in Syria.