Official statements from the Syrian government or international bodies

12 Mass Graves in Daraa, Al-Qutayfah Area Near Damascus May Hold 100,000 Bodies from Assad's Regime

Dec 17, 2024, 09:56 AM

Following the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, multiple mass graves have been discovered, with reports indicating that at least 100,000 bodies are buried in a site located near Al-Qutayfah, approximately 25 miles northeast of Damascus. Mouaz Moustafa, head of the U.S.-based Syrian Emergency Task Force, indicated that these graves contain victims believed to have been killed under the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The discovery is part of ongoing search efforts in the aftermath of the regime's fall, revealing over 12 mass graves in the southern governorate of Daraa, which are thought to hold the remains of civilians. Local sources estimate that up to 75,000 individuals may have been buried in these sites. The Syrian Civil Defence teams have begun securing the area and recovering remains, which are believed to be victims of the regime's brutal tactics, including torture. The findings underscore the extensive human rights violations that occurred during Assad's rule and the scale of the atrocities committed against the Syrian population.