Syrian rebels release tens of thousands of prisoners as Assad's regime falls

Syrian rebels have freed tens of thousands of prisoners in the past 10 days as they advanced across the country, leading to the fall of President Bashar Assad. Many former detainees celebrated in the streets of Damascus after their release. Prisons in Syria have been notorious for torture and executions. The recent releases included political prisoners and those who had been missing since the conflict began in 2011. Videos showed former detainees joyfully escaping their cells. Families of missing detainees expressed mixed feelings, waiting outside prisons for news of their loved ones. Some have been searching for relatives who have been missing for years, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty despite the recent upheaval.