Hundreds of residents took to the streets in Tadamon, South Damascus, on Friday to protest a controversial agreement between Syria’s new authorities and Fadi Saqr, the former leader of the Assad regime’s National Defence Militia. The deal effectively grants Saqr amnesty, sparking widespread outrage among the community.
Who is Fadi Saqr?
Saqr is widely accused of leading the National Defence Forces in carrying out the Tadamon Massacre, where at least 41 civilians were executed in April 2013. Some estimates suggest the death toll could be as high as 288. The massacre was exposed in 2022 after an extensive investigation by Syrian researchers. Victims were dumped in a mass grave, and the revelations ignited calls for justice.
Public Outrage Over Saqr’s Visit
On Thursday, Saqr returned to Tadamon, escorted by security forces from the new administration. According to residents speaking to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, his presence fueled anger, with protesters demanding accountability.
Accompanying Saqr were:
- Colonel Abu Hassan – Head of General Security in Damascus
- Abu Bakr – Head of General Security in southern Syria
- Yasser Suleiman & Ghadeer Al-Salem – Former militia leaders accused of atrocities
Reports suggest they were searching for other Assad-era figures wanted by the new government.
Families of Victims Demand Justice
Protesters held photos of their executed relatives and chanted against the lack of accountability for past war crimes.
Fayez Abu Eid, head of the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria, condemned Saqr’s return:
“How can someone involved in killing our people come here like a hero or savior? This visit disrespects both the people and the memory of those lost.”
Another resident expressed frustration:
“We cannot forget how he executed our neighbors in front of us. His presence here is a humiliation to the victims.”
Saqr’s Reinvention and Controversial Role
Following the December 2024 fall of the Assad regime, which was overthrown in a rebel-led assault spearheaded by the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), Saqr has attempted to rebrand himself. He now plays a role in “civil peace committees” and national dialogue initiatives, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
However, many still accuse him of severe human rights violations, including:
- Starvation sieges on rebel-held areas in South Damascus
- Overseeing forced displacements in Qaboun, Barzeh, and Eastern Ghouta
- Blocking aid to Palestinian refugees in the Yarmouk camp
As a result, he has been subjected to international sanctions.
Calls for Real Justice
More than 500,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict, most at the hands of Assad’s forces. The war began in 2011, following the violent suppression of peaceful protests by the regime.
Syria’s new authorities now face accusations of neglecting victims of the Assad era. Families of missing detainees claim their rights are being ignored, while the government focuses on diplomatic recognition and foreign relations, particularly with Western powers.
📷 Image Credit: Getty Images
