In the heart of Damascus, the remnants of a once-feared regime are visible in the empty homes left behind by its top enforcers. Jamil Hassan, a key figure in Bashar al-Assad's Syrian government, notorious for his brutal treatment of civilians, hurriedly exited his apartment amidst the regime's collapse. His neighbor watched, noting a palpable sense of finality: “I knew the moment I saw them flee that Assad had fallen,” she remarked.
Days later, when journalists entered Hassan's apartment, the signs of a hurried departure were jarring. Unfinished meals and personal belongings lay scattered throughout the space, revealing an unsettling glimpse into the lives once lived there. A framed photo of Hassan alongside Assad on the wall captured an era of terror, with its caption ominously declaring their perceived right to control Syria's skies.
Dubbed “the butcher” by locals, Hassan commanded the Air Force Intelligence and managed brutal detention facilities, including the infamous Mezzeh Prison. His disappearance is part of a broader trend as senior regime figures vanish from affluent neighborhoods in Damascus. The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has pledged to hunt these individuals down, taking over some of their vacated homes. A handwritten notice on Hassan's door warns against trespassers, reflecting locals' fears of retribution even after his exit.
Despite his ominous presence, many residents lived in silence, fearful of reprisals for speaking out. They describe Hassan as a domineering figure who never acknowledged their presence. “We were terrified to talk,” recounted one neighbor, whose anguish mimics that of many others who resided close to these war criminals.
Hassan's gruesome legacy has led to international repercussions; he faces charges in the US and European nations for his role in torture. Meanwhile, rebels have begun to sift through the abandoned apartments of other regime figures, revealing a ghostly presence that still lingers. Hussam Luka, another infamous regime member whose apartment was also evacuated, had gained a reputation for his ruthlessness and intimidation tactics.
In some cases, the rebels report looters had already taken valuable items, but many lavish homes now serve as makeshift bases for their new occupants. Reports detail rebels sleeping on marble floors and using camp stoves in once-opulent kitchens, a stark reminder of the lives these homes once housed.
The fate of other senior regime figures remains uncertain. While speculation abounds about their potential hideouts — from Lebanon to coastal regions favored by the Alawite sect — there is a consensus that justice for their crimes will be a complex pursuit. Political analysts warn that many could evade accountability through clandestine deals or the assistance of allies.
The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression emphasizes the necessity of pursuing these figures, suggesting their capture is vital for establishing accountability for grave human rights violations. As the hunt continues, there is a firm belief among the residents that one day, these figures will be brought back for justice's reckoning.
As the narrative unfolds, the question lingers: will there be a price for the atrocities committed, or will the injustices of the past continue to haunt the streets of Syria?
