Syrian Rebel Leader Pledges Closure of Assad-Era Prisons and Pursuit of Perpetrators

Syrian rebel forces have announced their intention to close the infamously severe prisons operated by former president Bashar al-Assad and to pursue individuals implicated in the killing or torture of prisoners. Rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also identified as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, additionally stated his commitment to disbanding the security apparatus of the previous government, according to a statement reviewed by the Reuters news agency. Footage depicting the release of thousands of inmates from Saydnaya prison—which human rights organizations have labeled a “human slaughterhouse”—emerged following the downfall of the Assad government on Sunday. The UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that nearly 60,000 individuals were tortured and killed within prisons managed by Assad. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Jolani’s Islamist militant organization, spearheaded other Syrian rebel factions in a swift offensive that brought an end to the Assad dynasty’s 54-year governance. Assad departed for Russia in the early hours of Sunday, where he and his family were granted asylum, following the rebel seizure of the capital, Damascus. In a distinct declaration, Jolani stated that pardons for individuals involved in the torture or killing of prisoners would not be considered. He affirmed, “We will pursue them in Syria, and we ask countries to hand over those who fled so we can achieve justice.” Following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, Syrians have hastened to the regime’s notorious prisons, seeking their missing relatives. A 2022 report by the Turkey-based Association of Detainees and The Missing in Saydnaya Prison (ADMSP) indicated that Saydnaya “effectively became a death camp” subsequent to the commencement of the civil war in 2011. Jolani further declared his intention to disband the security forces of the former Assad regime. The speed at which these forces could be re-established by rebel fighters remains uncertain, given apprehensions regarding Israeli attacks on the nation’s military infrastructure. According to the statement reviewed by Reuters, Jolani indicated that his group was collaborating with international organizations to safeguard potential chemical weapons locations. Responding to inquiries about the Reuters report, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated that the US “welcomed” Jolani’s remarks but emphasized the necessity for them to be followed by concrete actions. She added, “Our focus is that these chemical weapons do not fall into the wrong hands”. This development follows Israel’s execution of hundreds of strikes throughout Syria and its seizure of several military assets. Local media reports indicated that one of these assaults targeted a research facility with suspected connections to chemical weapon manufacturing. Israel asserts its actions are aimed at preventing weapons from falling “into the hands of extremists”. The UN’s chemical watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), defines a chemical weapon as a substance employed to inflict intentional death or injury through its toxic characteristics. Their deployment is forbidden under international humanitarian law. From 2013 to 2018, Human Rights Watch recorded a minimum of 85 chemical weapons attacks in Syria, attributing responsibility for the majority to the deposed government. Assad’s government consistently denied any use of chemical weapons. Syria endorsed the OPCW’s Chemical Weapons Certificate in 2013, one month after a chemical weapons assault on Damascus suburbs resulted in over 1,400 fatalities. The precise quantity of chemical weapons Syria possesses remains unknown, though it is widely believed that Assad maintained stockpiles and that his declaration was incomplete. Individuals affected by chemical attacks in Syria have recently shared their experiences with the BBC, detailing the severe consequences they endured. Concurrently, European foreign ministers are convening in Berlin on Thursday for crucial discussions concerning Syria and Ukraine. The White House announced that leaders of the G7 countries will also address the most recent events in Syria during a virtual meeting scheduled for the following day. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.