Ten months after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Syrian families are still grappling with the legacy of his regime as they search for missing loved ones and demand justice, with mass graves continually uncovered and a new government facing immense challenges in addressing war crimes. The ongoing humanitarian crisis underscores the deep wounds of the civil war, as relatives emerge to share their stories in a more open political environment.
Over 181,000 people were forcibly disappeared or arbitrarily detained during the 14-year conflict, with 90% attributed to the Assad regime, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Recent discoveries include more than 60 mass grave sites, such as one in al-Otaiba village where an estimated 175 bodies were bulldozed into a pit, unearthed by shepherds or during agricultural activities. These sites serve as stark reminders of the brutality inflicted on civilians, with skeletal remains replacing crops in fields across regions like Eastern Ghouta.
Personal accounts bring the tragedy to life, as families like that of Kasim Hamami seek closure. Hamami was digging at the al-Otaiba site when he found a frayed, brownish jumper belonging to his brother Samer, who disappeared in 2014 at age 21 along with three nephews. Samer was a civilian newlywed, only 15 days into his marriage, who left Eastern Ghouta due to hunger during a regime blockade and had no ties to armed groups. His story echoes the plight of thousands who vanished while simply trying to survive.
Survivors such as Bilal, a nurse, provide firsthand testimony of the violence. He recounted the ambush on a convoy of around 400 people on February 27, 2014, where landmines detonated along a 300-meter stretch followed by a hail of bullets from regime forces and Hezbollah allies. Bilal survived by hiding in a bush until the next day, but lost his nephew, friends, and relatives, and now speaks out to demand accountability for what he describes as cold-blooded killings.
The new Syrian government, led by Interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadi fighter, has established a National Commission for Missing Persons and held its first parliamentary election, though it was criticized as incomplete and non-representative. Sharaa has declared the missing a “national priority,” but the commission is in its infancy, struggling with severe resource constraints, including only one DNA laboratory in the entire country, slowing identification efforts.
Community initiatives like “truth tents”—forums where families gather to share experiences—have become vital for emotional support. In one village hall, over a hundred women, many in black abayas, held photos of missing husbands, fathers, and sons, recounting harrowing tales of loved ones snatched from homes or workplaces. An 18-year-old named Bisan recalled her father being taken at gunpoint when she was four, while others described being forced to choose between family members’ freedom or paying bribes for information.
Despite promises, the path to justice remains fraught with obstacles. Many senior figures from the Assad regime are fugitives, and Hezbollah has been weakened by conflicts with Israel. A Syrian judge has issued an arrest warrant for Bashar al-Assad, but he has found refuge in Russia, complicating extradition. Families express impatience, with some, like a father named Mohammed, tearfully insisting that trials for perpetrators are essential rather than endless discussions.
As Syria moves forward, the quest for closure continues, with the commission managing expectations that resolution may take years. For families, the wait for truth, justice, or simply bones to bury embodies the unresolved pain of the conflict, highlighting the long road to healing in a nation still emerging from dictatorship.