Following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syrians are combing through the notorious Saydnaya prison near Damascus in search of secret tunnels and underground cells where inmates are believed to have been held.
The prison, long associated with torture and extrajudicial killings, has become a symbol of the brutal legacy of Assad’s rule. Civil defense teams, including the White Helmets, have launched extensive search efforts to locate and free any prisoners who might still be trapped within its walls.
The White Helmets reported that while they have yet to uncover any hidden doors or secret chambers, they remain committed to the search. “We are working closely with individuals who know the prison’s entrances and passages,” a spokesperson said. Rumors of underground cells have persisted for years, with former detainees describing secret compartments where prisoners were subjected to inhumane conditions. The operation has drawn significant attention as families of the missing anxiously await news of loved ones.
The fall of Assad’s government on Sunday, after rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized control of Damascus, marked a turning point in Syria’s civil war. Assad, now reportedly in Russia where he has been granted asylum, fled the capital as rebel forces stormed key government buildings. The overthrow has triggered widespread celebrations in some areas, while others grapple with the uncertainty of what comes next.
Efforts to dismantle the remnants of Assad’s regime are underway in the capital, with a particular focus on freeing political prisoners. Saydnaya prison, described by Amnesty International as a “human slaughterhouse,” is at the center of these efforts. Activists have called for international support to ensure the release of detainees and to document any evidence of war crimes committed within the facility.
Meanwhile, Russia has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the situation in Syria. With Assad now under Moscow’s protection, questions remain about how the international community will respond to the new political reality in Damascus. For many Syrians, however, the immediate focus is on uncovering the truth about the horrors of Saydnaya and bringing justice to those who suffered under Assad’s rule.
