Dying for peanuts: Syrian regime soldiers 'worth only $98'

Families of Syrian regime soldiers who died in the brutal government offensive to capture Aleppo were left scratching their heads after the regime compensated them with a miniscule amount of cash.

Pro-Assad media praised Syrian Presidnet Bashar al-Assad for what they described as his "generosity" towards the families of his loyalist fighters.

A photo of a bill of a mere 50,000 Syrian pounds ($98 US) was circulating on Facebook, as one of the "prizes" he gave out.

Pro-regime officials said they shared the photos with the aim of proving that they are indeed protecting the families of pro-regime soldiers and to "counteract propaganda" that claims otherwise.

The Syrian regime has reportedly compensated some dead soldiers' families with goats, biscuits and cheap watches in the past.

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The Assad regime has a history of conducting ludicrous propaganda campaigns, in an attempt to normalise its illegitimate rule.

In September, a state media produced video promoting Aleppo's nightlife went viral while the regime was engaged in its brutal campaign against the city. The video ended up drawing much ridicule and condemnation.

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Assad's army claimed victory in their Aleppo offensive in December 2016, after years of siege and indiscriminate attacks.

There have been various reports, proving that the Assad regime has used indiscriminate barrel bombs in civilian areas.

Photo and video evidence of the regime torturing civilians were circulated over the internet, proving that government soldiers and allied militia forces took part in systematic human rights abuses against prisoners.

Despite the piling evidence against him, Assad has vehemently denied such allegations, and is always quick to defend his legitimacy.

The Syrian conflict began when the Baath regime, in power since 1963 and led by President Bashar al-Assad, responded with military force to peaceful protests demanding democratic reforms during the Arab Spring wave of uprisings, triggering an armed rebellion fueled by mass defections from the Syrian army.

According to independent monitors, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed in the war, mostly by the regime and its powerful allies, and millions have been displaced both inside and outside of Syria.

The brutal tactics pursued mainly by the regime, which have included the use of chemical weapons, sieges, mass executions and torture against civilians have led to war crimes investigations.