DAMASCUS, Syria — In a shocking revelation, rebel forces have discovered hidden underground cells within the infamous Saydnaya prison near Damascus, where an estimated 100,000 prisoners might still be confined, with some at risk of suffocation due to inadequate ventilation.
Emergency response units, with guidance from former prison staff, are currently engaged in a desperate effort to unlock electronic doors to these subterranean chambers. The rescue operation is fraught with challenges, as the mechanisms for these doors are complex and the keys have fled with the regime’s personnel.
Videos circulating online, though not verified, depict harrowing scenes of prisoners, including women and children, stepping out into daylight for the first time in years, having endured torture, starvation, and mass executions under Assad’s regime. Saydnaya prison has been notoriously dubbed a “human slaughterhouse” by Amnesty International, highlighting its role in some of the most egregious human rights abuses.
The collapse of the Assad government has led to an unprecedented release of detainees across Syria. Over 3,500 prisoners have been liberated from Homs Military Prison alone, and the number is expected to rise as more facilities are opened. This mass liberation signifies not only the end of a brutal chapter but also the beginning of a long journey towards healing for many Syrians.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for humanitarian aid and support to assist in the ongoing efforts to free all remaining captives and to address the aftermath of such prolonged atrocities.
Key Points:
- Hidden Cells Discovered: Rebel forces have found underground cells in Syria’s Saydnaya prison.
- Trapped Detainees: Approximately 100,000 prisoners may still be trapped, with some facing suffocation due to poor ventilation.
- Rescue Efforts: Emergency teams, guided by former workers, are attempting to unlock electronic doors to free prisoners.
- Disturbing Visuals: Videos show prisoners, including women and children, emerging after years of torture and starvation.
- Saydnaya’s Reputation: Known as a “human slaughterhouse,” symbolizing severe human rights abuses under Assad’s rule.
- Mass Release of Detainees: Over 3,500 freed from Homs and thousands more across Syria following the regime’s fall.
