Syrian Civil Defence unit probe hidden tunnels of Saidnaya prison PHOTO/VIDEO

The Syrian Civil Defence unit, known as the White Helmets, is investigating reports that some prisons, from which tens of thousands of inmates were freed following the fall of Assad's regime, have underground levels.

One of the prisons whose inmates have been released is Saidnaya, located on the outskirts of Damascus, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This facility became a grim symbol of the repressive measures of the ousted regime. Human rights organizations report that, during the first decade of the civil war, as many as 30,000 people were executed or perished from deprivation in Saidnaya.

NEW: The first underground level of Sednaya Prison’s secret section has been uncovered, revealing detainees held by Assad as expected. pic.twitter.com/9EyEJXmTdK

— Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024

Chaotic scenes from the infamous Sednaya Prison, where people are going through layers freeing the prisoners. pic.twitter.com/LGGQktcNEE

— Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024

The White Helmets announced the formation of five specialized teams tasked with gaining access to the prison’s subterranean areas. To aid their efforts, they have sought assistance from former prison guards to help unlock electronic doors.

Meanwhile, social media platforms have been flooded with videos of those released from custody. Among these videos is one showing Ragheed Ahmad al-Tatari, a former pilot who refused to bomb Hama in the early 1980s under orders from Hafez al-Assad. Arrested at the age of 27, he spent decades in captivity. Another video shows a man who is unable to recall his own identity or origin.

This story sheds light on the continuing humanitarian challenges in the aftermath of the Assad regime and raises questions about the extent of atrocities committed in the country’s prisons.

Note that, crowds in Damascus gathered on December 8 with chants, prayers, and sporadic gunfire to celebrate the collapse of President Bashar Assad's regime, marking the end of 50 years of Assad family rule. The stunning advance by opposition forces into the capital has raised questions about Syria’s future and its impact on the wider region.

According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Assad and other top officials resigned and departed Syria after hosting negotiations with rebel groups. Hours later, Russian state media confirmed that Assad and his family had been granted asylum in Moscow.

This marks the first time opposition forces have reached Damascus since 2018 when Syrian troops regained control of areas on the city's outskirts following years of conflict. The developments signal a turning point for Syria but leave the nation’s path forward uncertain.

By Aghakazim Guliyev