Publish: 11:16, 17 Dec, 2024 Updated: 14:44, 17 Dec, 2024

At least 100,000 bodies in mass grave near Damascus

Online Desk
At least 100,000 bodies in mass grave near Damascus
Photo - Collected

The head of a US-based Syrian advocacy organization on Monday said that a mass grave outside of Damascus contained the bodies of at least 100,000 people killed by the former government of ousted President Bashar Assad, reports Arab News.

Mouaz Moustafa, speaking to Reuters in a telephone interview from Damascus, said the site at al Qutayfah, 25 miles (40 km) north of the Syrian capital, was one of five mass graves that he had identified over the years.

“One hundred thousand is the most conservative estimate” of the number of bodies buried at the site, said Moustafa, head of the Syrian Emergency Task Force. “It’s a very, very extremely almost unfairly conservative estimate.”

Moustafa said that he is sure there are more mass graves than the five sites, and that along with Syrians victims included US and British citizens and other foreigners. Reuters was unable to confirm Moustafa’s allegations.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are estimated to have been killed since 2011, when Assad’s crackdown on protests against his rule grew into a full-scale civil war.

Assad and his father Hafez, who preceded him as president and died in 2000, are accused by Syrians, rights groups and other governments of widespread extrajudicial killings, including mass executions within the country’s notorious prison system.

Assad repeatedly denied that his government committed human rights violations and painted his detractors as extremists.

Syria’s UN Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He assumed the role in January — while Assad was still in power — but told reporters last week that he was awaiting instructions from the new authorities and would “keep defending and working for the Syrian people.”

Moustafa arrived in Syria after Assad flew to Russia and his government collapsed in the face of a lightning offensive by rebels that ended his family’s more than 50 years of iron-fisted rule.

He spoke to Reuters after he was interviewed at the site in al Qutayfah by Britain’s Channel 4 News for a report on the alleged mass grave there.

He said the intelligence branch of the Syrian air force was “in charge of bodies going from military hospitals, where bodies were collected after they’d been tortured to death, to different intelligence branches, and then they would be sent to a mass grave location.”

Corpses also were transported to sites by the Damascus municipal funeral office whose personnel helped unload them from refrigerated tractor-trailers, he said.

“We were able to talk to the people who worked on these mass graves that had on their own escaped Syria or that we helped to escape,” said Moustafa.

His group has spoken to bulldozer drivers compelled to dig graves and “many times on orders, squished the bodies down to fit them in and then cover them with dirt,” he said.

Moustafa expressed concern that graves sites were unsecured and said they needed to be preserved to safeguard evidence for investigations.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan

More News
Russia denies reports Assad's wife has filed for divorce
Russia denies reports Assad's wife has filed for divorce
Saudi delegation meets Syria's new leader: source close to government
Saudi delegation meets Syria's new leader: source close to government
Gaza official says Israel strikes on hospital 'terrifying'
Gaza official says Israel strikes on hospital 'terrifying'
UN urges ceasefire as Israel intensifies Gaza attacks
UN urges ceasefire as Israel intensifies Gaza attacks
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
‘Israeli terrorists’ incapable of confronting Yemen: Ansarullah
‘Israeli terrorists’ incapable of confronting Yemen: Ansarullah
Amazon and Starbucks workers on strike, Trump's connection suspected
Amazon and Starbucks workers on strike, Trump's connection suspected
‘Looting Bride’ collects 1.25 crore by targeting rich men
‘Looting Bride’ collects 1.25 crore by targeting rich men
10 members of a family die in Brazil plane crash
10 members of a family die in Brazil plane crash
Tens of thousands displaced by ethnic brutality in northeast India suffer squalid conditions in camps
Tens of thousands displaced by ethnic brutality in northeast India suffer squalid conditions in camps
Attacks on Kamal Adwan Hospital ‘crime against humanity’: Hamas
Attacks on Kamal Adwan Hospital ‘crime against humanity’: Hamas
Latest News
Renowned Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal passes away
Renowned Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal passes away
8 hours ago | Entertainment
Sarwar Alam appointed as President's new Press Secretary
Sarwar Alam appointed as President's new Press Secretary
8 hours ago | National
New Delhi receives letter from Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition
New Delhi receives letter from Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition
9 hours ago | National
Gold price drops slightly
Gold price drops slightly
9 hours ago | Business
Awami League deprived people of voting rights: Rizvi
Awami League deprived people of voting rights: Rizvi
9 hours ago | National
WB commits to continue support for key reform initiatives in Bangladesh
WB commits to continue support for key reform initiatives in Bangladesh
9 hours ago | National
Russia denies reports Assad's wife has filed for divorce
Russia denies reports Assad's wife has filed for divorce
10 hours ago | International
Death toll in Meghna ship robbery attack rises to 7
Death toll in Meghna ship robbery attack rises to 7
10 hours ago | City
Rail service on Benapole-Dhaka route via Padma Bridge tomorrow
Rail service on Benapole-Dhaka route via Padma Bridge tomorrow
10 hours ago | National
Fake reviews flood the internet—Will AI make it worse?
Fake reviews flood the internet—Will AI make it worse?
11 hours ago | Tech
Rethinking development models, lifestyles and capacity building essential to tackle Climate Change: Environment Advisor
Rethinking development models, lifestyles and capacity building essential to tackle Climate Change: Environment Advisor
11 hours ago | City
Legal costs escalate due to lawyers’ syndicate: Tajul Islam
Legal costs escalate due to lawyers’ syndicate: Tajul Islam
11 hours ago | National
Saudi delegation meets Syria's new leader: source close to government
Saudi delegation meets Syria's new leader: source close to government
11 hours ago | International
Let's forget all differences and unite to build Bangladesh: Mirza Fakhrul
Let's forget all differences and unite to build Bangladesh: Mirza Fakhrul
12 hours ago | National
Gaza official says Israel strikes on hospital 'terrifying'
Gaza official says Israel strikes on hospital 'terrifying'
12 hours ago | International
One more dies of dengue
One more dies of dengue
12 hours ago | National
Chinese company to invest $28.92m in Economic Zone
Chinese company to invest $28.92m in Economic Zone
12 hours ago | Business
Palestinian envoy meets President, thanks Bangladesh for support
Palestinian envoy meets President, thanks Bangladesh for support
12 hours ago | National
5 bodies recovered from cargo ship in Meghna
5 bodies recovered from cargo ship in Meghna
13 hours ago | City
Bangladesh to kick off Champions Trophy campaign against India
Bangladesh to kick off Champions Trophy campaign against India
13 hours ago | Sports
UN urges ceasefire as Israel intensifies Gaza attacks
UN urges ceasefire as Israel intensifies Gaza attacks
14 hours ago | International
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
14 hours ago | International
Travel ban imposed on Shahriar Alam, family members
Travel ban imposed on Shahriar Alam, family members
14 hours ago | National
Bangladesh's forex reserves reach $20bn
Bangladesh's forex reserves reach $20bn
14 hours ago | Business
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project cancelled
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project cancelled
14 hours ago | National
EVMs won’t be allowed in next polls: Badiul Alam Majumdar
EVMs won’t be allowed in next polls: Badiul Alam Majumdar
14 hours ago | National
Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition, sends letter to Delhi: confirms Foreign Adviser
Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition, sends letter to Delhi: confirms Foreign Adviser
15 hours ago | National
Court imposes travel ban on Sayeed Khokon, his family
Court imposes travel ban on Sayeed Khokon, his family
15 hours ago | National
Honda and Nissan announce merger talks
Honda and Nissan announce merger talks
15 hours ago | Business
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
15 hours ago | International
Most Read
'​​​​​​​Letter sent to foreign ministry to bring Hasina back'
'​​​​​​​Letter sent to foreign ministry to bring Hasina back'
17 hours ago | National
BMD predicts dry weather over country
BMD predicts dry weather over country
18 hours ago | National
Assad's wife files for divorce, seeks to move to UK
Assad's wife files for divorce, seeks to move to UK
22 hours ago | International
Great disasters of 1/11, eclipse of 2/11
Great disasters of 1/11, eclipse of 2/11
20 hours ago | Special
Government won’t change its decision on Rohingya entry, says Home Advisor Jahangir Alam
Government won’t change its decision on Rohingya entry, says Home Advisor Jahangir Alam
17 hours ago | National
Maj Gen Fazlur Rahman to lead commission to re-investigate BDR carnage
Maj Gen Fazlur Rahman to lead commission to re-investigate BDR carnage
16 hours ago | National
Widespread scattering of weapons, bullets
Widespread scattering of weapons, bullets
18 hours ago | Special
Ctg port faces growing backlog of unclaimed containers
Ctg port faces growing backlog of unclaimed containers
20 hours ago | Special
Tulip Siddiq interviewed over corruption investigation
Tulip Siddiq interviewed over corruption investigation
19 hours ago | International
Trump vows to ‘stop transgender lunacy’ as a top priority
Trump vows to ‘stop transgender lunacy’ as a top priority
21 hours ago | International
Rumor Scanner debunks news regarding sanctions on army, Hasina's return
Rumor Scanner debunks news regarding sanctions on army, Hasina's return
21 hours ago | National
Syrian Women's Affairs Chief: Women to play key role in rebuilding
Syrian Women's Affairs Chief: Women to play key role in rebuilding
19 hours ago | International
Dhaka's air quality 2nd worst globally
Dhaka's air quality 2nd worst globally
21 hours ago | City
Ferry services resume after hours of suspension due to fog
Ferry services resume after hours of suspension due to fog
21 hours ago | National
1 killed, several injured in another Dhaka-Mawa Expressway crash
1 killed, several injured in another Dhaka-Mawa Expressway crash
20 hours ago | National
67 died in Nigeria after deadly stampedes
67 died in Nigeria after deadly stampedes
21 hours ago | International
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
Gaza situation ‘nothing short of an apocalyptic nightmare’
15 hours ago | International
Bangladesh to kick off Champions Trophy campaign against India
Bangladesh to kick off Champions Trophy campaign against India
13 hours ago | Sports
Tomatoes thrown, protest outside Allu Arjun's home over stampede death
Tomatoes thrown, protest outside Allu Arjun's home over stampede death
21 hours ago | Entertainment
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
Chinese dam ignited rare Tibetan protests, ended in beatings and arrests: Report
14 hours ago | International
38 died, more than 100 missing as ferry sinks in Congo
38 died, more than 100 missing as ferry sinks in Congo
21 hours ago | International
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project cancelled
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project cancelled
14 hours ago | National
Legal costs escalate due to lawyers’ syndicate: Tajul Islam
Legal costs escalate due to lawyers’ syndicate: Tajul Islam
11 hours ago | National
Tens of thousands protest in Belgrade against president over railway collapse
Tens of thousands protest in Belgrade against president over railway collapse
21 hours ago | International
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” tops box office, beats “Mufasa” in opening weekend
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” tops box office, beats “Mufasa” in opening weekend
19 hours ago | Entertainment
Many people appear unhappy when we talk about holding polls: Mirza Fakhrul
Many people appear unhappy when we talk about holding polls: Mirza Fakhrul
23 hours ago | National
Asia shares rally on US inflation relief
Asia shares rally on US inflation relief
20 hours ago | Business
Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition, sends letter to Delhi: confirms Foreign Adviser
Dhaka seeking Hasina’s extradition, sends letter to Delhi: confirms Foreign Adviser
15 hours ago | National
Champions Trophy: PCB choose UAE as neutral venue for India games
Champions Trophy: PCB choose UAE as neutral venue for India games
21 hours ago | Sports
5 bodies recovered from cargo ship in Meghna
5 bodies recovered from cargo ship in Meghna
13 hours ago | City