‘We all have someone missing’: Families of the thousands of Syrians ‘disappeared’ by Assad regime share stories of loss
February 10, 2025
Beirut, Lebanon – In the grim annals of the Syrian civil war, the fate of tens of thousands of Syrians who have been forcibly disappeared by the Assad regime remains one of the most haunting and unresolved tragedies.
For the families of the disappeared, the anguish is unbearable. They live in a state of constant torment, haunted by the uncertainty of their loved ones’ fate and the relentless search for answers.
“We all have someone missing,” said Hala, a Syrian woman whose husband disappeared in 2012. “It’s like a part of you has been ripped away, and you’re left with this gaping hole that never heals.”
The Assad regime’s use of enforced disappearances has been systematic and widespread throughout the war. Human rights groups estimate that over 100,000 Syrians have been forcibly disappeared since 2011.
The vast majority of disappearances are carried out by government security forces, who arrest people at checkpoints, from their homes, or in the streets. Many are believed to be held in secret detention centers, where they are subjected to torture and abuse.
The families of the disappeared often face intimidation and harassment from the regime. They are often too afraid to speak out publicly or seek help from authorities, knowing that it could put their own safety at risk.
“We’re living in a state of terror,” said Fatima, whose son was disappeared in 2015. “We don’t know who to trust. We’re afraid of speaking up, because we don’t want to be arrested or killed.”
The international community has repeatedly condemned the Assad regime’s use of enforced disappearances and called for an end to the practice. In 2020, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2533, which demanded that the regime immediately release all arbitrarily detained persons and provide information on the fate of the disappeared.
However, the regime has largely ignored these calls. It continues to deny responsibility for the disappearances and refuses to provide information on the whereabouts of those who have been detained.
For the families of the disappeared, the lack of closure is unbearable. They live with the constant hope that their loved ones are still alive, but also the fear that they may have been killed or tortured.
“We need to know what happened to them,” said Hala. “We need to have their bodies back, so we can give them a proper burial and finally find some peace.”
The ongoing tragedy of Syria’s disappeared is a testament to the brutality of the Assad regime and the urgent need for accountability and justice. The families of the disappeared deserve to know the truth about what happened to their loved ones and to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes.
‘We all have someone missing’: Families of the thousands of Syrians ‘disappeared’ by Assad regime share stories of loss
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