During the revolution to recapture territory in Syria, opposition fighters succeeded in liberating thousands of individuals from a network of prisons notorious for their brutal conditions under the al-Assad regime. This offensive began in the northern regions, advancing through key cities such as Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and ultimately Damascus.

As the fighters breached central prisons, they provided reassurance to those emerging from captivity, many of whom appeared frail and disoriented. The liberators conveyed that the regime of Bashar al-Assad was either on the brink of collapse or had already fallen, while simultaneously exposing the appalling conditions that countless detainees had endured for prolonged periods.

The search for additional prisoners continues, as both fighters and relief workers endeavor to uncover hidden cells and secret facilities. Their efforts instill a glimmer of hope for numerous Syrian families who have experienced the anguishing disappearance of loved ones into a prison system often likened to dungeons or death camps. A United Nations report indicates the existence of over 100 detention facilities, alongside numerous clandestine sites.

Among the most infamous prisons were Tadmor, located in the vicinity of Palmyra, and Sednaya, situated just outside of Damascus. In 2014, a defector from the regime, known as "Caesar," escaped Syria with tens of thousands of photographs depicting the tortured and mutilated bodies of detainees. These images were subsequently shared with Syrian and international human rights organizations, revealing evidence of at least 6,786 deaths in government custody, with Amnesty International labeling Sednaya Prison as a “slaughterhouse.”

The Syrian authorities, under Bashar al-Assad and his late father Hafez, have been implicated in systematic abuses, including mass executions and torture resulting in death. From March 2011 to August 2024, approximately 157,634 Syrians were reported arrested, including 5,274 children and 10,221 women. Despite the ongoing efforts to locate detainees, many remain trapped in underground facilities, prompting authorities to incentivize former soldiers and prison guards to disclose information regarding secret prisons.

The Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, has announced a financial reward for information leading to the identification of these hidden detention centers. While the precise identities of those still imprisoned remain uncertain, rebels have successfully released thousands of women, elderly men, and even young children who had been held by the regime.

Under the al-Assad regime, numerous inhumane techniques were employed to punish perceived opponents. Detainees were subjected to severe beatings, sleep deprivation, and electrocution. Reports indicate that both men and women were routinely stripped, blindfolded, and sexually assaulted. Particularly notorious torture methods included the "German chair," the "flying carpet," and a practice involving tying detainees to a ladder and repeatedly pushing it over.

Before the uprising in 2011, it was common for citizens to remark that “the walls have ears,” highlighting the regime's extensive intelligence and surveillance apparatus. Criticism of the regime often resulted in individuals vanishing into its infamous dungeons, a testament to the pervasive climate of fear instilled by the Mukhabarat, the secret police of the Syrian state.