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Over 112,000 People Still Forcibly Disappeared in Syria

Demonstrators hold photos of missing people in the Umayyad Square in Damascus on Saturday (AFP)
Demonstrators hold photos of missing people in the Umayyad Square in Damascus on Saturday (AFP)
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Over 112,000 People Still Forcibly Disappeared in Syria

Demonstrators hold photos of missing people in the Umayyad Square in Damascus on Saturday (AFP)
Demonstrators hold photos of missing people in the Umayyad Square in Damascus on Saturday (AFP)

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has reported that at least 112,414 people remain forcibly disappeared in Syria, primarily due to crimes committed by the Assad regime, despite the release of thousands of detainees in recent weeks.

Fadel Abdul Ghany, the director of SNHR, told Asharq Al-Awsat that their database implicates 6,724 members of the regime’s forces in these crimes. He also confirmed that SNHR is ready to provide detailed information on key perpetrators within the Assad regime.

The report shed light on the ongoing humanitarian disaster caused by arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances in Syria, even after the opening of regime detention centers and the discovery of several mass graves.

The release of detainees coincided with military operations launched by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that resulted in the recapture of major cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Damascus. In the process, prisons and security facilities were opened, and all detainees were released.

Additionally, mass graves containing the remains of thousands of victims executed extrajudicially were discovered in recent weeks. According to the SNHR report, these findings underscore the systematic nature of crimes committed by the Bashar al-Assad regime.

The SNHR estimates that around 24,200 people have been released since the opening of regime prisons. However, as of August 2024, their database shows a total of 136,614 individuals detained or forcibly disappeared, meaning that over 112,414 people are still unaccounted for.

The report emphasized that these individuals are considered forcibly disappeared because their remains have not been returned to their families, and no information about their fate has been disclosed.

Fadel Abdul Ghany stressed to Asharq Al-Awsat that holding those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria accountable is a “legal and moral imperative” to achieve justice for victims and prevent future violations.

He highlighted that documenting these crimes, a process undertaken by SNHR and other organizations over the past decade, is a critical step toward accountability. SNHR has developed a comprehensive database that includes a list of 16,200 individuals involved in committing these crimes. Among them are 6,724 members of regime forces, including the army and security apparatus, and 9,476 members of pro-regime militias and auxiliary groups formed after the Syrian uprising in 2011.

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US Delegation Inspects Destroyed Hezbollah Site in South Lebanon

A Lebanese Army soldier escorts a military bulldozer clearing roads in southern Lebanon (Directorate of Guidance). 
A Lebanese Army soldier escorts a military bulldozer clearing roads in southern Lebanon (Directorate of Guidance). 
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US Delegation Inspects Destroyed Hezbollah Site in South Lebanon

A Lebanese Army soldier escorts a military bulldozer clearing roads in southern Lebanon (Directorate of Guidance). 
A Lebanese Army soldier escorts a military bulldozer clearing roads in southern Lebanon (Directorate of Guidance). 

A US delegation, accompanied by a large Lebanese Army force, inspected a former Hezbollah military site previously bombed by Israel in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif, located on the northern bank of the Litani River.

This visit coincided with a field patrol by a French unit from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the Wadi al-Hujayr area, and came as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the UNIFIL commander that the “continued Israeli occupation of the five hills must end as soon as possible.”

Aoun informed UNIFIL Force Commander General Aroldo Lazaro—during a meeting at Baabda Palace with a UNIFIL delegation—that the Lebanese Army “continues to deploy in the southern villages and towns vacated by Israel, working to clear them of landmines and eliminate all armed presences, despite the vast and rugged nature of the southern terrain, which makes the task time-consuming.”

Aoun emphasized that the “continued Israeli occupation of the five hills must end promptly to ensure stability and security along the southern border, paving the way for the return of displaced residents.”

He also stated that the recruitment process for 4,500 soldiers, as approved by the Cabinet, is ongoing.

“These troops, along with the existing forces, will help establish security in the South and implement Resolution 1701 in cooperation with UNIFIL, whose efforts in coordination with the army we highly value,” according to a statement from the Lebanese Presidency.

Lazaro, for his part, discussed the outcomes of his recent meetings at the UN Security Council, particularly Lebanon’s request to renew UNIFIL’s mandate. He confirmed “the high level of coordination with the Lebanese Army deployed in the South, which is fully carrying out its responsibilities with the support and coordination of UNIFIL.”

On the political front, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed the Lebanese government’s commitment to security, stability, and extending sovereignty over all Lebanese territory, noting that this sovereign stance protects Lebanon and its people and opens the door to recovery on various fronts.

On the ground, local media reported that the US delegation toured the Dabsh area in Yohmor al-Shaqif, where previous Israeli airstrikes had destroyed a Hezbollah military site. The site was reportedly used by Hezbollah as a “monitoring point.”

This visit carries significant field and political implications, as Yohmor is a strategically vital town in southern Lebanon due to its elevation on the north bank of the Litani River and its view over northern Israel. While it lies north of the Litani, Israel includes it within the zone it believes should fall under the same restrictions as the area south of the river.

According to the Central News Agency, the US delegation spent more than half an hour in the area, moving in a convoy of SUVs accompanied by Lebanese Army vehicles, before leaving as part of a broader tour of several points in the South.

The US team also visited Wadi al-Hujayr, accompanied by Lebanese Army personnel. In parallel, a French UNIFIL unit conducted search patrols in the wooded areas of the valley, looking for potential Hezbollah installations. This valley is considered one of the South’s most strategic locations and has frequently been used by Hezbollah for surveillance and storage. The patrols reflect the scope of international coordination and the strict monitoring of the ceasefire terms.

According to available information, Hezbollah has so far handed over around 190 of its 265 military sites located south of the Litani. Other reports suggest the group has dismantled more than 500 military positions.

Israeli media has also noted these developments. The newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted an Israeli military official as saying: “The situation continues to evolve, and we must work constantly to prevent Hezbollah’s return.” He added that the Lebanese Army is taking action against the group beyond what was expected before the ceasefire. The paper noted that while Israel still has the desire to intervene, “the situation in Lebanon is no longer what it used to be.”

Ongoing Israeli Violations

Despite these developments, Israeli violations in the South continue. Artillery shelling was reported in the Suddaneh area near the town of Shebaa, along with bulldozing activity near the edge of Adaisseh. Israeli drones were also seen flying intensively over the Bekaa Valley and western sectors.