Syrian authorities have announced the arrest of a former intelligence officer accused of involvement in the Tadamon Massacre documented in a leaked video, in a step signaling an escalation in pursuing war crimes suspects. Amjad Youssef was detained in Hama province after hiding there, according to the Interior Ministry, which released a photo of him in prison uniform.
The arrest comes months after opposition factions toppled former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, forcing him to flee to Russia, as the new authorities intensified operations to detain security personnel accused of abuses during the conflict.
Details
- Amjad Youssef is linked to the 2013 Tadamon massacre, exposed through a leaked video in 2022.
- The footage shows members of Military Intelligence Branch 227 leading around 40 blindfolded and bound detainees to a pit, before shooting them one by one.
- The video documents how victims were deceived into believing they were passing through a sniper corridor, only to be pushed into the pit over earlier bodies, then shot again if still alive, before the bodies were burned to conceal evidence.
- The Syrian conflict, which began with protests in March 2011 and escalated into full-scale war, has left around half a million dead and more than a million injured. Following the political shift, dozens of former regime members have been detained, including individuals linked to the same incident.
Meanwhile, victims’ families expressed relief and gathered to celebrate in the Tadamon neighborhood. One participant said she had lived in fear for years but began to feel safe and reassured after Youssef’s arrest. Participants also stressed the importance of planting white roses at the massacre site to honor the victims and uphold the pursuit of justice.
Amid the celebrations in Damascus, the image of a crying Syrian girl stood out, becoming a powerful human symbol that refocused attention on the lasting scars of the massacre and the pain still present among families.
US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack welcomed the arrest, describing it as a step toward ending impunity and advancing justice.
What’s Next?
Attention is now drawn to expanding investigations and arresting remaining suspects, as authorities face a key test in building a comprehensive justice process.
