In a lightning offensive, opposition fighters in Syria have freed thousands of people from the repressive prisons of the al-Assad regime. Their victories in Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Damascus have allowed them to open central prisons, revealing the horrific conditions that many endured under Bashar al-Assad’s rule. These efforts have offered hope to families of those who disappeared into the prison system, which included over 100 detention facilities and secret locations.
The conditions in Syria’s prisons were described as horrific, with reports of mass hangings, torture, and executions. Thousands of people were killed or tortured in custody, and many more languished in prison for years. Despite the regime’s brutal tactics, opposition forces have continued to search for and release prisoners left behind, offering faint hope to those still trapped in underground dungeons.
The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, has offered a monetary reward for information leading to the discovery of secret facilities where detainees are being held. Reports of torture methods used in the prisons include the use of the “German chair” and the “flying carpet” to break victims’ backs. Rebels have already released thousands of women, men, and children from the regime’s custody.
The regime’s arrests and torture were aimed at terrorizing and silencing dissent, with the use of surveillance and spy networks to instill fear in the population. Former inmates have recounted the torture and abuse they endured, shedding light on the brutal tactics used by the al-Assad regime to maintain control. Despite the challenges, opposition fighters and relief workers continue their efforts to uncover and release those still trapped in Syria’s prisons.
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