Damascus: Syrian businessman Rami Makhlouf, the cousin of deposed leader Bashar Assad, has launched a scathing attack on former Brig. Gen. Ghiyath Dalla, accusing him of inciting recent unrest in Syria's coastal region and exploiting civilians for personal gain.

According to Anadolu Agency, this marks Makhlouf's first public statement on social media since the fall of the Assad regime last December. He criticized officers of the Fourth Division, with a particular focus on Dalla, holding him responsible for the recent clashes with security forces.

Makhlouf questioned Dalla's actions, asking, 'What have you done to our people, Ghiyath Dalla? What did you do with the head of military intelligence and the civilians around you? Why did you involve these innocent civilians in this affair with you and exploited their need for money?' He also condemned his cousin, Assad, for allegedly destroying the country and fleeing with resources that could have alleviated poverty.

Makhlouf stated that many civilians lost their lives during operations by security forces, placing the blame on Dalla for instigating these events.

In recent days, the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus have witnessed a series of coordinated attacks by supporters of the ousted Assad regime. These attacks, described by Makhlouf as the most severe since the regime's fall, targeted security patrols, checkpoints, and hospitals, leading to numerous casualties.

In response, security and military forces have conducted extensive operations to apprehend the attackers, resulting in intense clashes.

Bashar Assad, who led Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8, marking the end of the Baath Party's regime, which had been in power since 1963. Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the anti-regime forces that ousted Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on January 29.