Survivors Speak Out: Horrors of Torture Under Assad's Regime Emerge in Post-War Syria

In the wake of Bashar Assad's ousting, former detainees are bravely sharing their harrowing experiences of torture and brutality endured in Syria's infamous detention centers. Survivors describe a systematic regime that utilized more than 100 facilities to inflict torture, sexual violence, and mass executions on thousands of individuals, including their own soldiers.

Abdullah Zahra, a survivor who spent two months in Branch 215, recounted the terrifying moments when he was electrocuted and beaten while his father was forced to watch. These accounts come as many Syrians, silenced by fear for over a decade, now seek closure and answers about their loved ones who disappeared during the regime's reign of terror.

Activists estimate at least 150,000 individuals went missing since protests erupted in 2011, many tragically succumbing to torture or poor conditions in detention. The Syrian Civil Defense has begun investigation efforts into documented mass graves, while a UN body aims to gather evidence to prosecute those responsible for these atrocities.

As the world turns its attention to this dark chapter of Syria's history, survivors emphasize the urgent need for accountability and justice. Zahra expressed hope for change, stating, “With Assad gone, I want to tell my story, and I want the truth to come out.”