Reports from the International Commission on Missing Persons or Syrian human rights organizations

Mass Graves Containing Over 100,000 Bodies Uncovered in Syria Near Damascus, 66 Sites Identified

Dec 25, 2024, 02:43 PM

In the aftermath of the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, mass graves containing at least 100,000 bodies have been uncovered across the country, according to a U.S.-based Syrian human rights organization. The discovery sheds light on the scale of mass killings and executions conducted by Assad's regime. Reports indicate that there could be as many as 66 mass grave sites throughout Syria. A probable mass grave was recently discovered near Damascus, believed to contain the remains of detainees held under Assad and fighters killed during the civil war. The site, located in the Jisr Bagdad sector, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Damascus, was identified by a White Helmets rescuer and an activist. The site revealed aligned trenches covered with concrete slabs, with some bags bearing names or numbers. DNA tests are planned to identify the remains, which have been transferred to a secure location. The site is near Saydnaya prison, known for its brutal conditions under Assad's regime. The International Commission on Missing Persons estimates that over 150,000 individuals have gone missing during the conflict, highlighting the ongoing efforts to uncover the fate of these people.