Bashar al-Assad uses 'iron press' in brutal torture of prisoners

Syria has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since mid-2012, with the Assad regime often using cruel and inhumane treatment against political dissidents and other prisoners. Human rights organizations have long documented the excessive force, starvation, and torture prevalent in places like Saydnaya prison, which has been described as a 'human slaughterhouse.' Reports indicate that thousands of prisoners were subjected to various forms of torture, including severe physical abuse and psychological torment. With the recent fall of Assad, families have begun to search for loved ones who have been missing or imprisoned during the regime's extensive crackdown on dissent. As the regime loses its control, there is renewed hope for accountability for those responsible for the brutal treatment of prisoners, with international organizations calling for investigations into the crimes committed by the Assad government. However, the scope of the atrocities, including reports of mass graves and ongoing searches for disappeared individuals, presents a complex challenge in the pursuit of justice and reconciliation in post-Assad Syria.