Angry Syrians Demand ‘Holding Regime Accountable’ for Tadamon Massacre

Snapshot from the video of the Tadamon massacre published by The Guardian
Snapshot from the video of the Tadamon massacre published by The Guardian
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Angry Syrians Demand ‘Holding Regime Accountable’ for Tadamon Massacre

Snapshot from the video of the Tadamon massacre published by The Guardian
Snapshot from the video of the Tadamon massacre published by The Guardian

The footage of the Tadamon massacre sparked massive anger among Syrians and opposition activists who called on the international community to hold the Syrian regime accountable for its horrific crimes.

The Guardian released on Wednesday a video clip showing members of branch 227 of the country's military intelligence service carrying out mass executions of civilians in the Tadamon neighborhood, south of Damascus.

The video, dating back to 2013, depicts a group of blindfolded and handcuffed detainees shot dead by a Syrian intelligence officer as they are forced to run toward an execution pit.

It also showed members of the Syrian regime's forces piling bodies on top of each other and burning them.

Opposition activist Ahmed al-Omar said that The Guardian's video and investigative report revealed the mass execution of dozens of civil detainees by the Syrian regime forces in the Tadamon neighborhood.

Omar indicated that the video brought back to people's memory the atrocities and crimes of the regime forces during their raids on Syrian cities and neighborhoods.

He noted that the international community's silence on the regime's crimes against Syrians over the past decade was shocking.

Umm Mazen, 56, the wife of a detainee since 2013, said she felt intense fear and terror when she saw the video.

She indicated that after watching the massacre, she sensed the feeling of every wife and mother whose husband or son is detained by the regime forces and fear that he will be killed in the same way.

The Syrian Islamic Council offered its condolences to the families of the victims of the "horrific crime," adding that the crimes of the Syrian regime continue behind bars.

The statement warned of dire consequences for the returned refugees, adding that a joint constitutional committee or reconciliation is not possible with the presence of these criminals in power.

The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces said that the world watched one of the massacres of the criminal Assad regime, adding that it is only one crime out of the thousands of bloody massacres carried out by the government and its allies against the Syrian people.

The Coalition stated that the truth known to Syrians is now clear to the whole world, leaving no room for doubt.

In its statement, the Coalition said the massacre in the video is a well-documented "war crime" with perpetrators' information, adding that it requires fair accountability in the International Criminal Court of the criminal regime.

It stressed that there would be no peace in Syria and the region with the presence of this criminal regime that has committed all kinds of atrocities against the Syrians.

It urged an "international accountability" for the crimes, calling for a fair trial of perpetrators.



UAE-Lebanon Summit Marks New Chapter in Bilateral Relations

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi (Lebanese Presidency)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi (Lebanese Presidency)
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UAE-Lebanon Summit Marks New Chapter in Bilateral Relations

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi (Lebanese Presidency)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, launching a new phase in Lebanese-Emirati relations marked by renewed cooperation and mutual support.

The summit, held at Al Shati Palace shortly after Aoun’s arrival, highlighted both leaders’ commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations.

“The past is behind us,” Aoun said, adding that Lebanon is “regaining its presence, capacity, and sovereignty,” with state institutions working together to build the country’s future.

Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, stressing the importance of strong Lebanese institutions in ensuring national stability. He also noted that the recent reopening of the UAE embassy in Beirut signals a renewed commitment to deeper, more fruitful relations.

Aoun, who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Youssef Raji, was received at Abu Dhabi International Airport by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister Khalifa Shaheen, and Lebanese Ambassador to the UAE Fouad Shihab Dandan.

During a broader meeting with Emirati and Lebanese officials, Sheikh Mohamed described the two countries’ relationship as historic and deeply rooted in mutual respect and shared values.

“The ties between the UAE and Lebanon are strong, and the people of both nations share longstanding bonds of goodwill,” he said.

Aoun expressed appreciation for the UAE’s hospitality to the Lebanese diaspora, which numbers around 190,000. He also thanked Sheikh Mohamed for responding positively to the reopening of the UAE embassy in Lebanon, a pledge made during a congratulatory call following Aoun’s election.

“Lebanon is going through a challenging period,” Aoun acknowledged. “But the state is recovering, and the situation is evolving. We are working together for a better future.” He emphasized regional unity, stating: “The Arab world is one body - when one part suffers, the whole is affected.”

Aoun also paid tribute to the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, calling him a visionary leader who propelled the UAE into the ranks of the world’s most advanced nations.

The summit concluded with a one-on-one meeting between the two presidents that lasted approximately 30 minutes.