Hope is fading for countless Syrians desperately searching for loved ones among the grim cells of Sednaya prison, a notorious detention facility near Damascus. The gates of the infamous prison were flung open Sunday after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebel forces, leading to the release of thousands of prisoners.
For many families, the chaotic scenes of freedom brought tearful reunions with relatives long thought to have been executed. Yet for others, the search continues through Sednaya’s labyrinth of filthy corridors, secret cells, and hidden underground chambers.
Ahmed Najjar traveled from Aleppo to Damascus, searching for his brother’s two children who were detained in 2012. “They’re saying there’s an underground prison,” Najjar said, reflecting the circulating rumors that more prisoners might remain trapped in inaccessible cells beneath the facility.
The White Helmets, a rescue organization known for saving lives during airstrikes, joined the search using maps provided by a defected Syrian army officer. Although they broke through walls and found hidden doors, no additional prisoners had been discovered by Monday afternoon.
Families Hold On to Hope
Outside the prison, crowds gathered in hopes of locating their loved ones. Intsar al-Jaber, 45, waited for any news of her brother and cousin, who were imprisoned in Sednaya. “They told me in 2014 my brother was dead and not to come back,” she said. Still, she has refused to give up hope.
At a nearby mosque, volunteers collected names and phone numbers of those searching for relatives, offering to call if any prisoners were identified. One woman, clutching a screenshot from social media, said she had seen her son among those released.
Inside the prison, the aftermath of years of brutal detentions was evident. Cells were littered with excrement, discarded papers, and muddy floors. Metal bowls, once used for food, lay abandoned. Survivors described Sednaya as a “human butcher shop,” where torture and mass executions were common. Rights groups have long reported on the facility’s grim reputation, with the U.S. accusing the Syrian government in 2017 of operating a crematorium at Sednaya to dispose of hanged prisoners.
Search Efforts Hampered by Chaos
Videos of the released prisoners—emaciated, shaven-headed, and barely able to identify themselves—circulated on social media. While the authenticity of some videos remains unverified, the large-scale prisoner release has been widely confirmed.
The chaotic nature of the prison’s opening has complicated efforts to trace detainees. Fadel Abdul Ghany, head of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, warned that the lack of organization has allowed genuine criminals to escape alongside political prisoners. “They need to manage this situation better,” Abdul Ghany said.
The search for underground cells continues, with rescue teams using drills and hammers to smash through walls and floors. Each breakthrough fuels hope, prompting rebels to fire celebratory gunshots, drawing crowds rushing forward. “My son, I’m coming!” one woman screamed. Another whispered a prayer, “God, please don’t disappoint me.”
Calls for Accountability
Sednaya has long been a symbol of Assad’s iron-fisted rule, where dissent was punished with imprisonment, torture, or death. Rights groups and survivors are demanding accountability for the atrocities committed within its walls.
Radwan Eid, searching for his relatives among the freed, called Sednaya a “butcher’s shop.” “The blood spilled here cannot be ignored,” he said. “Those responsible must be held accountable.”
The release of prisoners comes as Syria grapples with the fallout of Assad’s ousting. For many families, the chaotic scenes at Sednaya represent both a sliver of hope and a grim reminder of the nation’s long, painful struggle for justice.
