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Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria over the weekend, videos have emerged from the notorious Sednaya prison, where political prisoners were held under torture and in inhumane conditions.
Located 30 km from Damascus, Sednaya was known as "the red prison" or "the human slaughterhouse" due to the number of executions carried out there each week.
The director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abderrahman, revealed to EFE that during the rescue operations, "between 40 and 50 bodies" were found, most of which were "from recent executions."
The Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets, deployed several teams in a thorough search to rescue prisoners in hidden underground cells spread across a complex layout over 1.4 km.
"Now we are in the middle of Damascus. I swear to God that our execution, along with those of another 54 people, was scheduled for today half an hour ago," one of the released individuals told the BBC.
Managed by the Syrian Military Police, Sednaya was a facility where both civilians and jihadists as well as rebels opposed to the government were detained. Since its construction in 1987, it is believed that up to 30,000 people have died there, either executed or as a result of torture, lack of medical care, or starvation.
Reports from human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, indicate that thousands of people were killed in mass executions, often without prior trial. The executions were carried out by hanging.
Prisoners were subjected to constant physical and psychological torture, including beatings, electric shocks, and inhumane punishment methods. They lived in extreme overcrowding, with limited access to food, water, and medical care.
The prison operated under a veil of secrecy. Inmates were arrested arbitrarily, and their families received no information about their whereabouts.
Organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the atrocities committed at Sednaya, highlighting it as one of the worst prisons in the world in terms of human rights violations. Survivor testimonies reveal a pattern of systematic torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sednaya Prison and the Bashar al-Assad Regime
What is Sednaya prison and why is it feared?
The Sednaya prison, located 30 kilometers from Damascus, is known as "the red prison" or "the human slaughterhouse." This is due to the high number of executions and torture that took place weekly under Bashar al-Assad's regime, housing political prisoners, jihadists, and rebels in inhumane conditions.
How many people died in Sednaya during the Assad regime?
It is estimated that up to 30,000 people died in the Sednaya prison. These deaths occurred due to executions, torture, lack of medical care, and starvation since its establishment in 1987.
What happened after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria?
After the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, rebel forces took Damascus, revealing the atrocities committed in the Sednaya prison. Assad fled to Moscow, where he was granted asylum, and Syria's fate fell into the hands of rebel groups and international interests, marking a new chapter of political uncertainty.
How has Assad's decline affected his international allies such as Russia and Cuba?
The fall of Assad has dealt a severe blow to his allies, especially Russia and Cuba. Russia, which had military bases in Syria, sees its influence in the Middle East undermined, while Cuba loses a crucial ally for its foreign policy, which could intensify its international isolation.
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