By Islam Salah
Saydnaya prison, located near Damascus, has long been known for the harsh conditions faced by those held within its walls, serving as a symbol of the challenging circumstances of detention under Syria’s former regime.
Recent developments, however, have led to the release of many prisoners who had been detained there for extended periods.
Prisoners Being Released
Rebel forces, now in control of Syria, have been working to free detainees across the country. One of their most significant efforts has been the liberation of Saydnaya.
Freed prisoners stepped out of Saydnaya’s gates. Overwhelmed with emotion, some embraced loved ones for the first time in years, their faces reflecting both the joy of liberation and the lingering weight of their ordeal. Voices of reassurance broke through the tension, marking the end of an unimaginable chapter in their lives.
The Dark History of Saydnaya
Saydnaya prison’s history is marked by numerous accounts of torture, abuse, and mass executions. Frequently described as a site of horrific abuse by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, the prison became notorious during the ongoing conflict in Syria, which began in 2011.
A 2022 report by the Association of Detainees and The Missing in Saydnaya Prison (ADMSP) estimated that over 30,000 people were executed or died from torture and neglect in the facility between 2011 and 2018.
Survivors describe severe abuse, including the torture of individuals close to them. Former detainees have shared accounts of the mental and emotional toll endured within Saydnaya. Even for those who managed to survive, the conditions within the prison left lasting scars.
The Fight to Free the Forgotten
With changes in the political landscape, efforts intensified to uncover the full scale of detentions across the country. In Saydnaya, rebel forces employed every tool at their disposal, even appealing to former prison staff for codes to open underground doors.
In some of these previously sealed-off areas, over 100,000 detainees were reportedly visible on CCTV monitors before being freed.
The White Helmets, an organization involved in rescue efforts, joined the operation, combing through the facility for hidden cells and basements. Their work, while thorough, concluded this week without uncovering additional secret areas.
A Hope for the Future
Families who had been uncertain about the fates of their loved ones now have answers, and many are being reunited after years of separation. Still, the scars of Saydnaya and other detention facilities remain.
As Syria enters a new phase, the stories of those who survived Saydnaya highlight the enduring desire for justice and human rights.
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