According to the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a newly discovered mass grave outside Damascus potentially contains the remains of at least 100,000 people allegedly killed under the regime of former President Bashar Assad. The organization's leader, Mouaz Moustafa, told Reuters in a phone interview from Damascus that the site in al-Qutayfah, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the Syrian capital, is one of five mass graves he has identified through his investigations.
Reuters reports that Moustafa believes the death toll at this single location could be significantly higher, describing the 100,000 figure as "a very, very extremely almost unfairly conservative estimate." According to his findings, the victims include not only Syrian citizens but also Americans, British nationals, and other foreigners.
The discovery comes in the wake of Assad's recent ousting by rebel forces, as reported by The Associated Press. Assad, who ruled Syria for 24 years following his father's three-decade reign, has fled to Moscow where he has been granted asylum by his long-time Russian allies.
According to The Associated Press, the majority of Assad's former territory is now under the control of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by former al-Qaida commander Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani. The group, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, has begun establishing a new government and initiating diplomatic relations with foreign states.
The Associated Press notes that Syria has been largely inaccessible to journalists since the outbreak of civil war in 2011 due to government restrictions and ongoing violence. The recent change in leadership has allowed journalists to return, leading to new revelations about life under the Assad regime.
Moustafa expressed urgent concerns about the security of the grave sites, emphasizing the importance of preserving evidence for future investigations. Human rights organizations estimate that Assad's security forces may have killed 150,000 people since 2011. Syria's UN Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak, who assumed his role while Assad was still in power, has not responded to requests for comment. In a statement released via Telegram, Assad said: "I have carried an unwavering conviction in their will and ability to protect the state, defend its institutions, and uphold their choices to the very last moment."
