Syria begins releasing prisoners from notorious jails as families reunite after years apart

Recent developments in Syria reveal the release of prisoners from jails previously controlled by the Assad regime. Over 100,000 inmates, including women and children, were held in harsh conditions, often for minor offenses or dissent. As rebels gained control, some notorious prisons, like Saydnaya, have been opened. Reports indicate severe torture and executions occurred, with Amnesty International estimating 13,000 executions between 2011 and 2016. Families are reuniting after years apart, but many prisoners remain in high-security areas. The full extent of the abuses in these prisons is still emerging, and the emotional impact on released individuals is evident.