Al-Mazzeh Military Base: A Hub of Military Operations and Drug Trafficking in Syria
In a recent investigation, Syrian opposition fighters uncovered significant quantities of Captagon pills at the Al-Mazzeh Military Airport in Damascus, following violent Israeli airstrikes that targeted the facility. The raids, which occurred on December 10, 2024, resulted in extensive damage to the airport, destroying numerous helicopters and warplanes. The Al-Mazzeh Military Airport, a strategic military site for the Syrian Air Force, has been pivotal in supplying the Syrian regime during its prolonged conflict against opposition forces.
During a tour of the damaged airport, accompanied by members of the Aggression Deterrence Forces, Al Jazeera Net's team observed the remnants of military hardware, including missiles intended for Russian MiG fighter jets. Fighter Abu Jarrah, who spoke to Al Jazeera, noted that these missiles had been utilized by the regime in its ongoing war against the Syrian people.
In addition to its military significance, the airport also houses detention centers where prisoners are kept under inhumane conditions. The facilities include two buildings with collective dormitories and solitary confinement cells, which have been described as filthy and overcrowded. Reports indicate that thousands of detainees have suffered in these conditions over the past four decades, with some records dating back to the 1980s now accessible to families seeking information about their loved ones.
The discovery of Captagon pills, a narcotic that has been linked to the Syrian regime's drug trafficking operations, raises serious concerns about the regime's role in the distribution of this substance. Opposition fighters reported finding large quantities of Captagon hidden in secret warehouses within the airport, contradicting the regime's previous accusations that the opposition was responsible for its spread. Each bag of Captagon contained approximately 200 grams, highlighting the scale of the operation.
The Al-Mazzeh Military Airport, previously managed by the Special Forces and Elite Forces of the Republican Guard, has served as a base for military operations against areas outside regime control. The recent findings at the airport not only reveal the extent of the regime's military capabilities but also its involvement in the illicit drug trade, further complicating the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
