On 37th Anniversary of Tadmur Prison Horrible Massacre

Press Release

Media Department

Syrian Coalition

June 29, 2017

On June 27, 1980, the Tadmur Prison located near the town of Tadmur in the Syrian Desert witnessed one of the most horrible massacres committed by the Assad regime against the Syrian people. Although full details of the massacre remain unknown, available information confirm that more than 1,100 detainees were executed by firing squads of the regime’s Defense Brigades who also used hand grenades to kill the detainees. The carnage was followed by another massacre on December 19, 1980, in which 120 girls and women who were detained in the prison were executed and dumped in a mass grave.

These horrific massacres are part of a litany of crimes committed by the Assad regime against the Syrian people over the years. The regime’s crimes continue unabated especially after the Syrian revolution began in 2011 when Syria’s heroes and heroines were brave enough to throw off the shackles of the regime and rejected attempts by the regime and its backers to bring them back under the yoke of tyranny.

The Syrian people have witnessed a long list of horrible crimes committed by the Assad family since Hafez's seizure of power in 1971 reaching up to crimes by his son, Bashar, who is now carrying out the most heinous crimes against civilians in Syria. All these crimes, violations, and atrocities need to come an end and their details be revealed, most importantly the names of the victims. Perpetrators must be brought to justice and face fair trials.

The regime’s crimes against the Syrian people attest to a criminal mentality. However, the revolution of the Syrian people and their resistance against tyranny is an irrefutable proof of their yearning for freedom, justice and dignity as well as their full right to getting rid of the murderous Assad regime.

May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.

Long live Syria and the Syrian people, free and with honor.