DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A 63-year-old writer, Bashar Barhoum, woke up in his prison cell in Damascus, expecting it to be his last day alive. However, rebels arrived at the prison, not to execute him but to set him free as they swept across Syria to end the Assad family's 50-year rule. Barhoum and many others were released from prisons and security facilities, where they had been held captive since the conflict began in 2011.
Reports indicate that Syria's prisons have been notorious for their harsh conditions, with systematic torture, secret executions, and instances of disease and starvation. The fear instilled by Assad's security apparatus served to control and suppress political opposition, creating a culture of mistrust among Syrians.
One of the most infamous prisons, Saydnaya, known as the 'human slaughterhouse,' witnessed the release of women detainees who had been subjected to unimaginable conditions. Tens of thousands of detainees have been freed in various cities, including Aleppo, Homs, Hama, and Damascus.
While some celebrated the downfall of the Assad regime, families of detainees and the disappeared anxiously awaited news of their loved ones. Many have been searching for years, hoping for the return of those who were taken away by the government.
As rebels struggled to maintain order amidst the chaos, individuals like Heba searched desperately for their missing relatives, highlighting the emotional toll inflicted by the Assad government's actions. The recent events have brought a mix of relief and uncertainty to the people of Syria, as they navigate the aftermath of the regime change.
