Additional Coverage:
Families Search for Missing Syrians
After the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime, thousands of Syrians are searching for loved ones who disappeared during the 14-year civil war. Crowds gathered at a Damascus hospital to examine photos of mutilated bodies recovered from the infamous Saydnaya prison.
Horrific Conditions at Saydnaya
A forensics doctor described the bodies as showing signs of torture and malnutrition. Some had no muscle tissue between their ribs, and many had expressions of fear etched on their faces.
Father Identifies Son
One man found his son’s body among the remains. He had been arrested in October, just two months before the regime’s collapse. Despite his grief, the father expressed hope for a brighter future.
Over 150,000 Missing
An estimated 157,000 people vanished into regime prisons between 2011 and 2024. A forensics doctor who identified 37 bodies said that the prisoners may have spent so long in prison that the signs of torture had faded.
Regime’s Suppression
The doctor shared that people were detained for innocuous reasons, such as Facebook posts. Under Assad’s rule, Syrians were silenced and endured countless atrocities.
New Government Unclear
As the Assad regime crumbles, it remains unclear who will lead the next government. The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) spearheaded the rebellion, and its leader has vowed to punish those responsible for torture and disappearances.