Heartbreaking Claims: Freed Saydnaya Prisoners Can't Even Remember Their Names

In the aftermath of the dramatic collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, hundreds flocked to what has become a haunting symbol of repression: Saydnaya prison. This infamous military facility has long been notorious for detaining tens of thousands of individuals who opposed the Syrian government throughout decades of brutal conflict.

Among the throng seeking loved ones lost in Saydnaya's darkness was Dr. Sharvan Ibesh, the chief executive of humanitarian aid organization Bahar. Arriving at the site around midnight, he was there to assist a friend desperately searching for her father, who has allegedly been imprisoned for an agonizing 13 years.

Describing the chaotic scene, Dr. Ibesh recounted, “It was very disappointing. We did not find him, and we got no information.” His friend, whose dreams of reunion had fueled her hope over the years, was heartbroken upon learning that many inmates had likely been relocated.

“Hundreds were coming out of the prison, and we were told we could not enter because of the overwhelming presence of rescuers,” he lamented.

The White Helmets, a Syrian civil defense group, have been tirelessly working to uncover the fates of inmates at Saydnaya, following disturbing accounts of hidden entrances to underground cells. However, no such locations have been discovered yet.

A nearby mosque, located approximately 20 kilometers from the prison, has become a sanctuary for recently released prisoners and their families. During his visit to the mosque on Sunday, Dr. Ibesh witnessed the deep psychological scars on those freed. “Some were clearly disoriented,” he shared. "They didn’t even know what time zone they were in."

Tragically, when asked fundamental questions like “What’s your name?” or “How old are you?” many of the released individuals could not respond. They appeared utterly lost, staring blankly into the void.

While heartwarming family reunions have taken place since some prisoners regained their freedom, the quest continues for many more still unaccounted for. The BBC spoke with Fayzah Nadaf, a mother from Idlib, who shared her harrowing story of loss. Her son, Thaer, was arrested in 2011 at just 25 years old – and to this day, no one can explain why.

With renewed hope fueled by a former inmate’s promise that Thaer remains alive, Fayzah’s other son has embarked on an exhaustive search through mosques, hospitals, and even within Saydnaya itself. “I am looking forward to seeing my son again,” she expressed, her voice trembling. “He has been missing for 12 years, and I have prayed every day for him to return to his children.”

Thaer's son, Mustafa, who is now 11 years old, only dreams of the father he has never heard speak. “I hope he comes back. I swear I miss him—I have never heard his voice,” he confided, a poignant reminder of the emotional toll endured by families separated by war.

As the atmosphere surrounding Saydnaya prison remains tense and filled with uncertainty, the grim reality of Syria's long-standing conflict continues to haunt its people. Will more families be reunited with their lost loved ones, or will more years of anguish lie ahead? The search for answers and for the missing continues.