Reports of Hidden Underground Cells at Syria’s Notorious Saydnaya Prison
The White Helmets, Syria’s civil defense group, is investigating chilling claims from survivors of Saydnaya prison about hidden underground cells where detainees may still be held.
Known as a symbol of repression under the Assad regime, Saydnaya became infamous for torture, starvation, and mass executions during Syria’s civil war.
Now, with rebel forces gaining control over the region, efforts to uncover its darkest secrets are underway.
Unveiling Hidden Cells
According to reports shared by the White Helmets on X (formerly Twitter), five specialized emergency teams, guided by individuals familiar with the prison’s layout, are searching for hidden cells.
The Damascus Countryside Governorate has also appealed for help from former prison staff to unlock underground doors. Over 100,000 detainees are reportedly visible on CCTV monitors but remain trapped due to inaccessible electronically locked gates.
Footage circulating online shows rebels smashing through walls to access lower parts of the prison. One video even reveals a dark chamber behind a demolished section, hinting at the possibility of concealed detention areas.
Prisoner Releases Spark Hope
Videos from Saydnaya show prisoners emerging into daylight, including women and children. In one video shared by the Association of Detainees and the Missing in Saydnaya Prison (ADMSP), a voice reassures freed women:
“He [Assad] has fallen. Don’t be scared.”
Elsewhere, Reuters verified footage of rebels shooting open prison gates, freeing men who poured into the hallways, their relief palpable.
Outside the prison, Syrians rushed to identify released relatives, many of whom had been imprisoned for years without contact with the outside world.
The Legacy of Saydnaya
Saydnaya prison has long been a symbol of the Assad regime’s brutality.
A Death Camp in All But Name
- A 2022 ADMSP report estimated that over 30,000 detainees died between 2011 and 2018 due to execution, torture, or starvation.
- Amnesty International dubbed the facility a “human slaughterhouse” in 2017, citing systematic hangings authorized at the regime’s highest levels.
- Survivors like Omar al-Shogre recount unimaginable horrors, including being forced to torture loved ones under threat of execution.
The Assad government consistently dismissed these allegations, labeling them “baseless” despite mounting evidence and survivor testimonies.
A Dark Shadow Over Syria’s History
The fear of disappearance into Syrian prisons predates the civil war. For decades, the Assad regime used detention as a tool of terror, silencing dissent with industrial-scale torture and death.
As one of the most feared symbols of state repression, Saydnaya stands out for its extreme conditions and the sheer scale of suffering inflicted on its detainees.
The Fall of Assad’s Prisons
Rebel forces have prioritized freeing detainees during their sweeping campaign across Syria. In the days preceding the liberation of Saydnaya:
- Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) freed over 3,500 detainees from Homs Military Prison.
- Rebel leaders declared an “end to the era of tyranny” in Saydnaya.
The sight of prisoners emerging from decades-long darkness into the light serves as a powerful symbol of the Assad regime’s collapse.
Looking Forward
The uncovering of Saydnaya’s underground cells raises new questions about the fate of those still missing. Human rights networks estimate over 130,000 people have been detained under similar conditions since 2011, with many never accounted for.
As Syria transitions into an uncertain future, the testimonies of survivors and the images of mass prisoner releases will remain as stark reminders of the country’s darkest chapter.
External Link: Learn more about Syria’s civil war legacy on Al Jazeera
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