Syria's capital Damascus erupted in chaos as opposition forces, who seized control from Bashar al-Assad's regime, launched a nationwide manhunt for former security officials responsible for torture and mass killings. The operation marks the first major action by the new government after Assad's fall from power.
Opposition Takes Control of Damascus
"We won't rest until we find every criminal who tortured our people," Ahmad al-Shara, leader of the opposition force Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared to thousands of supporters in central Damascus. The group, now controlling the presidential palace, announced substantial rewards for information leading to the capture of Assad's former security chiefs.
Speaking from the former regime's command center, al-Shara revealed plans for a high-priority "most wanted" list targeting senior military and intelligence officials responsible for systematic torture during Assad's rule.
Mass Graves and Prison Horror Revealed
The scale of Assad's atrocities became clear when opposition forces breached the notorious Saidnaya prison complex north of Damascus. They discovered only 2,000 survivors among 13,000 documented inmates, prompting widespread horror across Syria.
"Every day we uncover new mass graves," said Mohammed al-Bashir, newly appointed interim Prime Minister, addressing reporters at Damascus General Hospital. "136,000 Syrian families still don't know if their loved ones are alive or dead."
Regional Powers React to Syrian Regime Change
Israel's military struck Syria's naval assets in a decisive overnight operation, though Prime Minister Netanyahu signaled openness to diplomatic relations with the new Damascus government. Meanwhile, Turkish forces advanced into Kurdish-held territories in northern Syria, reshaping regional dynamics.
The United States maintained cautious distance. "Syria can't become a terrorist playground," Secretary of State Blinken warned during an emergency UN Security Council session. International observers urged restraint as the country navigates this precarious transition.
Future of Syria Hangs in Balance
Despite promises of fair trials for captured regime officials, concerns grow about potential revenge killings. While regular army soldiers received amnesty, former torture chiefs face a darker prospect as opposition forces consolidate power.
HTS leadership projects a moderate image to gain international recognition, but questions remain about their true intentions. With mass graves still being discovered and families searching hospitals for missing relatives, calls for swift justice grow louder across Syria.
The coming weeks will prove critical as Syria's new rulers balance international demands for stability against domestic pressure for accountability.
