Assad's Intelligence Records Expose Systematic Oppression in Syria
In the aftermath of the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, shocking revelations have emerged from the intelligence records left behind by the Syrian government. As citizens flocked to prisons and detention centers searching for their loved ones, they uncovered a disturbing picture of how the Assad regime operated, meticulously documenting the lives of ordinary Syrians.
Photos and documents circulated on social media reveal that the Syrian intelligence services maintained extensive records on citizens, tracking even the most mundane details of their lives. One particularly alarming register listed the names of young men who attended dawn prayers, highlighting the regime's obsession with monitoring religious practices. Another document identified students with “Salafi ideology,” showcasing the regime's efforts to suppress any form of dissent or perceived opposition.
Videos from the Political Security Branch in Sweida depicted a vast warehouse filled with citizens' records, categorized by family, further illustrating the regime's invasive surveillance methods. Many Syrians expressed disbelief at the archaic administrative systems still in use, likening them to those from the 19th century, and questioning the absence of modern technology in such a repressive state.
The intelligence archives have sparked outrage and mockery on social media, with users pointing out the absurdity of tracking individuals based on their religious practices. Activists noted that the informants, who played a crucial role in the regime's oppressive tactics, are now exposed, leaving them vulnerable to backlash from the very communities they betrayed.
As the dust settles on the regime's collapse, calls are growing for the establishment of committees to preserve these documents, ensuring that the history of oppression is not forgotten. Many have drawn parallels with Iraq, where valuable records were destroyed in chaos, leading to regret in the aftermath.
