Damascus – Action Group
Local sources reported that Civil Defense teams and the Syrian Commission for Missing Persons recently found the remains of civilians who were executed in the field in the Tadamon neighborhood in southern Damascus, near the site of the infamous Tadamon massacre committed by former officer in the ousted regime forces, Amjad Youssef, in 2013.
The sources stated that the Internal Security Forces imposed a tight security cordon around the site, while specialized teams began recovery operations and collecting forensic evidence, a step seen as part of ongoing efforts to uncover the fate of thousands of missing and forcibly disappeared people in Syria.
According to testimonies from local residents, this cemetery is likely one of dozens similar to the “Tadamon Pit,” which has become a horrific symbol of mass executions and enforced disappearances during the years of the revolution. Residents fear that the coming days will reveal more similar mass graves in the southern neighborhoods of Damascus and other areas that have witnessed extensive military and security operations.
It’s worth noting that the “Tadamon massacre,” which was first exposed through leaked video footage in 2022, showed dozens of civilians being shot and buried in a mass grave. These images sparked local and international shock, and repeated calls to hold those responsible for these grave violations accountable.
This latest development brings back to the forefront the issue of mass graves and systematic violations, which remain one of the most prominent open human rights issues in Syria, amid ongoing demands to uncover the fate of the disappeared and ensure that the perpetrators are held to justice.