Al Jazeera Exposes the Horrors of Mezzeh Airport Prison in Damascus
Al Jazeera has recently uncovered the grim realities of the Air Force Intelligence prison located at Mezzeh Military Airport in Damascus, which is notorious for its brutal treatment of detainees. The investigative report features harrowing testimonies from former prisoners and families of the missing, highlighting the ongoing plight of those affected by the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
The report details the desperate search of hundreds of families who roam the streets of Damascus, seeking information about their loved ones who have been missing for years. Many of these families gather outside the security branches, including the Air Force Intelligence branch, hoping for answers about their relatives who have been detained without trial. Abu Muhammad, a family member of a detainee, shared his anguish over his brother's disappearance since 2013, recounting the numerous instances of deception and blackmail he faced during his search.
Inside the prison, the Al Jazeera team was granted access by a former detainee who had spent seven years in captivity. The team documented the chaotic environment where personal belongings of detainees, predominantly women and children, were found scattered among piles of documents. Mustafa Al-Masry, another former detainee, described the inhumane conditions, stating, “They put me in a cell with 16 people, each one on a tile. There were no blankets or anything.” The women's section revealed even more heart-wrenching stories, with visuals depicting mothers separated from their children, enduring unimaginable suffering.
The Mezzeh Airport, originally tasked with ensuring the security of the airport and presidential aircraft, has transformed into a site of torture and oppression against dissenters. It has also been implicated in military operations against towns opposing the regime, contributing to the destruction and loss of civilian lives. In a twist of fate, the airport itself has faced Israeli airstrikes that targeted its military capabilities, underscoring the ongoing conflict surrounding the Assad regime.
