For years, I’ve covered the unfolding story of Syria, from the early days of anti-regime protests in 2011 to the country’s current state. My latest visit has left me with a mix of emotions – euphoria and horror – as I revisited the Omari Mosque in Deraa, where the protest movement began.
The regime’s collapse was met with jubilation, but for many Syrians, the truth behind what happened during Bashar al-Assad’s rule remains unclear. As I returned to Sednaya Prison, a detention facility that held thousands of people believed to be imprisoned by security forces, I saw firsthand the human toll of war and the desperate search for answers.
Despite efforts to uncover the truth, many questions remain unanswered. Over 100,000 Syrians are unaccounted for, and their families continue to hold onto false hope. The discovery of mass graves and the stories of those who buried them under duress paint a grim picture of the atrocities committed during the regime’s rule.
As I reflected on my experiences, I couldn’t help but wonder how people could live with such uncertainty for so long. The visit to Sednaya Prison left an indelible mark, and I’m reminded that our role as journalists is not only to document history but also to bear witness to the suffering of those affected.
The fall of the Assad regime has brought new hopes for Syria’s future, but it’s clear that much work remains to be done in terms of accountability and justice. As we move forward, it’s essential that we continue to tell the stories of those affected by the conflict and strive to bring about a more just and peaceful future for all Syrians.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/12/23/years-of-reporting-on-syria-the-road-to-damascus-and-the-fall-of-al-assad