Mass graves are being uncovered across Syria, shedding light on the scale of atrocities committed under the brutal regime of ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad.

More than two weeks after Assad’s regime collapsed and he fled the country, countless Syrian families remain in the dark about the fate of their missing loved ones, many of whom were detained by Assad’s notorious secret police.

The Scale of the Atrocity

According to Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the US-based advocacy group Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF), hundreds of thousands of bodies may be buried in mass graves east of Damascus.

Speaking to CNN, Moustafa said he was finally able to visit suspected burial sites after years of work.

One such site lies in Qutayfah, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Damascus. The area is marked by massive trenches:

• Depth: 6-7 meters (19-23 feet)
• Width: 3-4 meters
• Length: 50-150 meters

Gravediggers who worked at the site revealed horrific details. Between 2012 and 2018, four tractor-trailers, each carrying over 150 bodies, allegedly arrived twice a week. This chilling pattern amounts to hundreds of thousands of victims.

Moustafa recounted how workers were forced by intelligence officers to flatten and compress the bodies using bulldozers to make room for new arrivals.

New Discoveries in Southern Syria

On Monday, reports emerged of a new mass grave north of Izraa in Daraa governorate, southern Syria. Videos published by Agence France-Presse show men digging through the soil, pulling up bones, and unearthing rows of bodies.

Another clip shows a bulldozer carefully uncovering layers of earth while two rows of covered bodies lie on the ground.

The Missing: A National Tragedy

An estimated 150,000 Syrians are still unaccounted for, according to the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). Many were detained, kidnapped, or killed by Assad’s regime or affiliated groups. CNN, however, could not independently verify this figure.

The ICMP highlighted previous accounts, including that of a man dubbed “The Gravedigger,” who testified in a German court in 2020. He described how Assad’s regime forced him to bury hundreds of bodies in mass graves.

• Mass Grave Sites: Bodies transported from detention centers were buried in areas like Qutayfah (north of Damascus) and al-Najha (south of Damascus).
• Harrowing Details: Each truck reportedly carried 300-700 corpses. Victims were marked with numbers on their foreheads or chests, exhibiting clear signs of torture and mutilation.

Calls for Justice and Accountability

Moustafa emphasized that there are at least eight known mass grave sites in Syria and urged international experts to assist with exhumations and identifying the bodies.

Jenifer Fenton, spokesperson for the UN special envoy to Syria, stressed the importance of preserving documentation for detention centers and mass graves.

“We must prioritize accounting for the missing and ensuring families receive the clarity and recognition they desperately need,” Fenton said during a recent press briefing.

A Family’s Loss: Voices from Survivors

For families like Hazem Dakel from Idlib, now living in Sweden, the discovery of mass graves reopens old wounds.

Hazem shared his family’s tragedy:

• His uncle, Najeeb, was arrested in 2012 and later confirmed dead.
• His brother, Amer, was detained the following year and disappeared in Saydnaya Prison, notorious for torture and executions.
• Former detainees reported seeing Amer in April 2015, after which he vanished. Though the regime never acknowledged his death, the family is now certain he was tortured to death.

Reflecting on Assad’s fall, Hazem expressed a mix of relief and grief:
“Yes, the regime fell after resistance and struggle, but there was sorrow – like, where are our children? They are mourning their loved ones.”

The Road Ahead

While Syrians celebrate the fall of Assad’s oppressive rule, the staggering discovery of mass graves underscores the enormous task ahead:

• Identifying victims
• Delivering justice
• Providing closure for families

The world is now watching as Syria grapples with its past, seeking answers and accountability for the thousands who vanished during one of the darkest chapters in its history.

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As Syrians celebrated the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime this week, many faced an agonizing quest: locating loved ones who disappeared under his decades-long dictatorship. The notorious Saydnaya prison, infamous for its brutal history of detention, torture, and executions, became the focal point of this search.

A Symbol of Oppression and Horror

Saydnaya, located north of Damascus, has long been a grim symbol of the Assad regime’s brutality. Dubbed “the slaughterhouse,” Amnesty International estimates that as many as 13,000 people were hanged there between 2011 and 2015. The prison, shrouded in secrecy, was a place where opponents of the regime vanished, their fates unknown.

When rebels toppled Assad on Sunday, his flight to Russia signaled the end of an era of oppression. Images of prisoners being released from Saydnaya flooded social media, fueling hope for thousands of families desperate for answers. Traffic stretched for miles as crowds swarmed toward the prison, some abandoning their vehicles to walk the final stretch under the scorching sun.

Desperate Searches Amid Uncertainty

Among those searching was Maysoon Labut from Dara’a, the birthplace of the Syrian uprising. Labut sought three brothers and her son-in-law, holding onto the faint hope that they might still be alive. Fighting back tears, she shared her fears: “There’s no oxygen in the red section of the prison because the ventilation failed. They might all die.”

Rumors about hidden underground cells, known as the “red section,” spread rapidly, pushing families to dig deeper, both figuratively and literally. Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, led efforts to uncover these alleged secret cells. Volunteers drilled and searched, aided by sniffer dogs and silence from the crowd, hoping to hear the voices of trapped detainees.

However, by Monday evening, hopes were dashed. The White Helmets reported finding no evidence of undiscovered cells. The Association of Detainees and the Missing in Saydnaya Prison (ADMSP) confirmed that all prisoners had been released by Sunday, dismissing claims of hidden detainees as “unfounded.”

The Agony of Not Knowing

Despite these assurances, many families remain in limbo. Inside the prison, relatives combed through abandoned documents, illuminated only by cellphone flashlights, searching for any trace of their loved ones. A woman holding a faded photograph of her brother, missing for 12 years, expressed the heartbreak of uncertainty. “We just want to know if he’s dead or alive,” she said. “He has children who have never met him.”

The release of some prisoners has brought bittersweet reunions. Suheil Hamawi, a 61-year-old detainee held in various Syrian prisons for over three decades, returned home to his village in Lebanon. While overjoyed to reunite with his family, he reflected on the profound loss of time. “I realized how much I missed when my granddaughter called me ‘Grandpa.’ It’s a beautiful feeling, but it reminds me of everything I lost.”

A New Chapter, Yet Lingering Pain

As Syria turns a page in its history, the scars of the Assad regime’s atrocities remain fresh. Saydnaya prison stands as a haunting reminder of decades of suffering. For the families of the missing, the fight for truth and closure continues, even as the nation begins to rebuild from the ruins of tyranny.

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Abu Mohammed al-Golani, born Ahmad al-Sharaa, has emerged as a controversial figure in the aftermath of the insurgency that overthrew Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Once a hardline jihadi with ties to al-Qaida, al-Golani now presents himself as a reformer and a potential state-builder in a fragmented Syria. His transformation, however, raises questions about the future governance of a nation long divided by ethnic, religious, and political strife.

A Radical Past Rooted in Conflict

Al-Golani’s journey into militancy began in 2003 during the U.S. invasion of Iraq, where he joined al-Qaida-linked insurgents. He rose through the ranks, eventually aligning with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s Islamic State of Iraq. In 2011, amid Syria’s uprising against Assad, al-Baghdadi dispatched him to establish a Syrian al-Qaida affiliate, the Nusra Front.

The Nusra Front quickly became a dominant force in Syria’s civil war, battling both Assad’s forces and ISIS, which split from al-Qaida. While pledging allegiance to al-Qaida, al-Golani carved his path, rejecting ISIS and eliminating rivals among Syria’s armed opposition.

Rebranding and Consolidation

In 2016, al-Golani rebranded his group as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (the Syria Conquest Front), claiming independence from al-Qaida. This marked the beginning of his efforts to distance himself from global jihadism and focus on Syrian issues. A year later, he renamed the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), merging several factions under his leadership and solidifying control over Idlib province.

HTS maintained dominance in northwest Syria, often clashing with independent Islamist groups and imposing its rule with an iron fist. Over time, al-Golani sought to reshape his image, trading his militant garb for suits and advocating pluralism, tolerance, and decentralized governance.

From Extremist to Pragmatist?

Al-Golani’s pivot included efforts to engage with religious and ethnic minorities, such as the Druze and Kurds, whose communities had previously been targeted by his forces. He also granted interviews to Western media, portraying HTS as a localized force with no intent to threaten the West.

In a 2021 interview, he stated, “To wage a war against the United States or Europe from Syria, that’s not true.” However, the U.S. continues to designate him and HTS as terrorists, with a $10 million bounty on his head.

A Test of Leadership

With Assad ousted and Damascus under insurgent control, al-Golani faces the challenge of proving his claims of inclusivity and governance. Syria remains a fractured state, with diverse communities fearing Sunni Islamist dominance and foreign powers jockeying for influence.

Al-Golani’s leadership will be scrutinized as Syria navigates its post-Assad era. His ability to reconcile his militant past with his aspirations for state-building could determine whether he emerges as a unifying figure or remains a polarizing one in the eyes of Syrians and the international community.

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On Sunday, Syrian rebel forces took control of Damascus, declaring Syria “free” after a swift and decisive offensive that saw multiple major cities fall into their hands in recent weeks. The rapid success of the rebels is a clear indication that the Assad regime, which has clung to power for over 14 years amid a brutal civil war, has effectively collapsed.

Why This Matters:

The rebels’ victory in Damascus, with little to no significant resistance from Assad’s forces, signifies the end of the Assad regime’s control over Syria. This momentous shift comes after years of conflict and is a devastating blow to Syria’s government. The fall of Damascus is a significant geopolitical event, further destabilizing Syria and the Middle East in the short term.

In the long run, the collapse of Assad’s regime could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Syria but also for its key allies—Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah—who have supported President Bashar al-Assad’s rule since the 2011 uprising.

Key Developments:

• Assad’s Disappearance: Reuters reported that Assad left Damascus on Sunday morning, with his whereabouts unknown.
• Rebels Free Prisoners: Rebel forces also took control of Sednaya prison, a notorious facility near Damascus, and released hundreds of prisoners. Social media footage showed Syrian soldiers abandoning their posts in the capital, many removing their uniforms and blending into the crowd as civilians.
• Celebrations in the Streets: Thousands gathered in Damascus’ main square, cheering as news spread of the regime’s fall. Al Jazeera and other news outlets broadcasted the jubilant scenes of Syrians celebrating their newfound freedom.
• Airport Seized: Rebel forces also captured Damascus International Airport, adding another blow to the regime’s hold on the capital.

The Road Ahead:

Hadi al-Bahra, head of the Syrian National Coalition, told Al-Arabiya that the regime has officially fallen, but emphasized that the focus is not on revenge. Instead, the goal is to restore security and stability to Syria. Meanwhile, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, the Assad regime’s prime minister, expressed willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition of power, stressing the need to protect state institutions and ensure the safety of all citizens, including the opposition.

A Historic Shift:

This marks the end of 53 years of Assad family rule in Syria, which began with Hafez al-Assad’s coup in 1970. After his death in 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad took over, leading the country through a brutal crackdown on the 2011 uprising that ultimately plunged Syria into civil war. The collapse of the regime signifies not only the fall of the Assad dynasty but also the end of the secular Ba’ath Party’s rule, and the political dominance of Syria’s Alawite minority.

A Suspicious Departure:

In a dramatic turn of events, an Ilyushin-76 plane suspected of carrying President Assad was seen leaving Damascus airport just before rebel forces entered the city. The plane’s route, tracked via FlightRadar, showed it initially heading northwest before descending rapidly near Homs and eventually disappearing from radar.

This unfolding story is still developing, and further updates are expected as the situation evolves.

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BEIRUT (AP) — Hama, a city that holds some of the darkest memories in modern Arab history, has once again become a focal point of conflict in Syria. Over 40 years ago, it was the site of the infamous Hama Massacre, where tens of thousands were killed under the orders of then-President Hafez Assad. Now, Islamist insurgents have captured this historically significant city, marking a symbolic shift in Syria’s ongoing civil war.

Hama’s Tragic History

Hama, located in central Syria and famous for its iconic waterwheels along the Orontes River, became synonymous with brutality in the early 1980s.

In February 1982, Hafez Assad launched a devastating assault to crush a Muslim Brotherhood-led uprising. Within weeks, government warplanes and artillery, led by Hafez’s brother Rifaat Assad—nicknamed the “Butcher of Hama”—reduced much of the city to rubble.

Estimates of the death toll range from 10,000 to 40,000, with thousands more disappearing during the siege. The massacre left a lasting scar in the Arab world and sowed seeds of future uprisings.

Rifaat Assad has since faced international scrutiny, including an indictment in Switzerland for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Hama.

A Symbolic Epicenter of Resistance

Fast forward to 2011, Hama once again became a center of opposition during the Arab Spring-inspired protests against Hafez Assad’s son, President Bashar Assad.

For a brief period, government forces withdrew from the city, giving protesters a rare taste of freedom. Residents painted walls red, poured red paint over the city’s famous waterwheels, and used chants like “Erhal ya Bashar” (“Leave, Bashar”) to commemorate the 1982 massacre.

However, the government responded with a brutal counterassault in August 2012, regaining control of the city at the cost of significant casualties. The crackdown further solidified Hama’s place as a symbol of defiance and suffering.

The Recent Rebel Offensive

In a striking turn of events, Islamist insurgents have now taken control of Hama. Fighters tore down images of Bashar Assad and stormed government buildings in scenes that would have been unthinkable decades ago.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a prominent rebel leader, declared in a video message that insurgents had arrived in Hama to “heal the wound that has bled for 40 years.” Their first actions included freeing prisoners from the city’s central prison, further emphasizing the symbolic importance of the capture.

Why Hama’s Capture Matters

Hama’s strategic location makes its capture a significant development in Syria’s civil war.

• Key Intersection: Hama connects central Syria with the north, the east, and the coastal regions, including Latakia, a stronghold of Assad’s support base.
• Proximity to Damascus: Located just 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of the capital, Hama’s fall creates a pathway for insurgents to advance southward.
• Gateway to Homs: Analysts predict Homs, located just 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Hama, could be the rebels’ next target. Homs is home to one of Syria’s two state-run oil refineries and serves as a vital link between Damascus and the coast, where Assad’s power is concentrated.

“If rebels seize Homs after Hama, they could cut off Damascus from the coast, isolating Assad’s base and severing critical supply lines,” said Aron Lund, a Syria expert at Century International.

The Broader Implications

The fall of Hama follows the recent capture of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and could significantly shift the momentum in the civil war.

Rebel advances in Hama and potentially Homs could embolden Assad’s opponents while weakening the morale of his supporters. The stakes are high, as control over these cities would mark a turning point in the conflict.

Hama’s dark past continues to cast a shadow over Syria’s future, symbolizing both the enduring wounds of its people and the potential for transformative change in the nation’s ongoing struggle.

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