Over 1,000 Syrians Reportedly Died in Military Airport Prison Under Assad Regime

SYSyrian Arab Republic|

A recent report from the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) reveals that over 1,000 Syrians died in detention at Mezzeh Military Airport near Damascus, primarily as a result of execution, torture, and maltreatment. The report details evidence drawn from witness testimonies, satellite images, and documents linked to the regime's operations, identifying seven suspected grave sites, including some located within airport grounds.

Shadi Haroun, a former detainee and co-author of the report, described harrowing experiences of torture, which included both physical and psychological abuse aimed at extracting false confessions. The SJAC's investigation, conducted in collaboration with the Association for the Detained and Missing Persons in Sednaya Prison, included interviews with 156 survivors and former air force intelligence personnel.

A colonel from the new government remarked on the discovery of mass graves, highlighting that the existence of unaccounted individuals is a lingering legacy of the Assad regime. The report underscores the systematic nature of abuses that have transpired in Syria’s prisons since the uprising began in 2011, estimating that around 29,000 prisoners were held at Mezzeh at that time.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from Syrian Arab Republic

Turkey Airstrike in Syria Claims Nine Lives, Sparks Outcry

An airstrike by Turkish forces in northern Syria has reportedly killed nine members of a family, according to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The attack occurred late on March 16, near the town of Kobani, targeting a farming family, the SDF stated. This incident has prompted condemnation from Syrian officials, who labeled the airstrike a "dangerous escalation." The continued military actions in the region have raised concerns regarding civilian safety and heightened tensions amidst an ongoing conflict involving various local and foreign factions. The Turkish government has not publicly acknowledged the specific strike in question but has maintained that its military operations in northern Syria are aimed at neutralizing threats from Kurdish groups, which it considers terrorist organizations. The situation has drawn international scrutiny as reports of civilian casualties continue to emerge amid broader geopolitical tensions in the area. As conflicts in Syria persist, humanitarian organizations have called for urgent measures to protect civilians and provide aid to those affected by increasing hostilities.
SYSyrian Arab Republic

Landmine Hazards Claim Hundreds of Lives in Post-Assad Syria

In the three months following the fall of the Assad regime, Syria has seen over 200 casualties, including women and children, due to unexploded ordnance, according to the Halo Trust, the world’s largest landmine charity. Approximately 1.2 million displaced individuals have returned to their homes amidst the remnants of 14 years of civil conflict. Experts warn that "no area in Syria is safe" from these hazards, with Mohammed Sami Al Mohammed, a mine action coordinator for the Syrian Civil Defence, indicating that complete clearance may take decades. An earlier UN report noted that one-third of the victims of these unexploded munitions are children, who often mistake the remnants for toys. Volunteers like Fahd al-Ghajar, who was tragically killed by a landmine while demining, are risking their lives to make these areas safe for families returning home. Al-Ghajar, who had previously served in the Syrian army, dedicated his efforts to removing mines, stating, "We must stand by these people and remove the mines to help them return to their homes."
SYSyrian Arab Republic

Landmines in Syria Claim Hundreds of Lives Amid Return of Displaced Residents

In the three months following the fall of the Assad regime, over 200 individuals, including women and children, have died from incidents involving unexploded ordnance in Syria. As approximately 1.2 million displaced residents return to their homes, the risk from scattered landmines and munitions remains dangerously high, according to the Halo Trust, a landmine charity that reports 640 people killed or injured so far, with one-third being children. Mine action expert Mohammed Sami Al Mohammed, from the Syrian Civil Defence (White Helmets), noted, "No area in Syria is safe from war remnants." His assessment reflects the expansive presence of explosive remnants from 14 years of civil conflict, with significant casualties occurring in rural and urban areas hit hardest by fighting. Al Mohammed stated that it could take decades to make Syria safe, referencing other war-torn countries still struggling with similar dangers. Volunteer deminers, such as Fahd al-Ghajar, have been working tirelessly in the field, often at great personal risk. Tragically, Ghajar was killed in a mine explosion on February 21 while clearing land, highlighting the ongoing peril faced by those trying to help their communities recover.
SYSyrian Arab Republic
All Syrian Arab Republic News ->