Opposition Forces Close to Saydnaya Prison, Known as the “Human Slaughterhouse”
As events in Syria escalate, armed opposition factions have reportedly reached the outskirts of Saydnaya Prison in rural Damascus, separated by only one military checkpoint.
What is Saydnaya Prison?
Known as the “Red Prison” or “Human Slaughterhouse,” Saydnaya is infamous for its torture practices and heavy military fortifications. Located near the Saydnaya Monastery, 30 kilometers north of Damascus, the prison was built in 1987 and has two main sections:
• The Red Building, housing political and civilian detainees.
• The White Building, used for military prisoners.
The prison has historically held detainees from various groups, including:
• Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hizb ut-Tahrir.
• Lebanese opposition figures and Palestinians accused of ties with Syrian opposition groups.
• Communists, Kurdish activists, and Syrian military defectors.
In February 2017, Amnesty International called on the UN to conduct an independent investigation into reports of mass executions in Saydnaya. A report revealed that between 2011 and 2015, around 13,000 detainees were executed by hanging, with 20 to 50 people taken to the gallows weekly at midnight.
Saydnaya remains a stark symbol of the Assad regime’s repression, and its possible fall into opposition hands could mark a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict.
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