Lippa Capellum

Before the Syrian civil war began in 2011, the country's central bank held 25.8 tons of gold and $14 billion in foreign currency. While the amount of gold remains almost the same, the cash reserves have all but gone. Just $200 million are left. Syrian officials said the Assad regime, which had been under international sanctions, increasingly used the cash to fund food, fuel and fighting.

Before the Syrian civil war began in 2011, the country's central bank held 25.8 tons of gold and $14 billion in foreign currency. While the amount of gold remains almost the same, the cash reserves have all but gone. Just $200 million are left. Syrian officials said the Assad regime, which had been under international sanctions, increasingly used the cash to fund food, fuel and fighting.

It's also been reported that Bashar al-Assad had airlifted into Moscow a quarter of a billion dollars in banknotes.

It's also been reported that Bashar al-Assad had airlifted into Moscow a quarter of a billion dollars in banknotes.