Inside the apartments once owned by the feared enforcers of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a haunting silence fills the air as families find traces of a hurried flight from power. Notorious figures, such as Jamil Hassan—known for his role in torturing civilians—were seen trembling as they left their homes behind. The former head of Air Force Intelligence, at 72, made an escape with only a few belongings, leaving locals like his neighbor feeling a sense of relief that a regime figure had vanished. Her observation was poignant: "The moment I saw them flee, I knew Assad had fallen."
Upon exploring Hassan's now-abandoned apartment, the remnants of a disrupted life were starkly evident: a half-eaten carrot cake languishing in the fridge, clothes scattered across beds, and decaying flowers in vases. Walls adorned with pictures of Hassan and Assad bore testimony to a dark past filled with terror inflicted on the citizens of Damascus. Known locally as “the butcher” for leading extensive networks of torture facilities, Hassan’s abrupt disappearance from his affluent neighborhood highlights the fate of many senior regime officials concerned about facing justice.
Finding these men, once wielding power with ruthless authority, remains a challenge as they may have sought refuge under varying political conditions. According to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which actively worked to dismantle Assad’s forces, they pledge to track down these fugitives within Syria.
Local residents depict a chilling existence under Hassan’s rule, filled with fear and intimidation. For years, the security post outside his building was a constant reminder of his might. A filmmaker, living nearby, recalled his terror and the threats against his dog from Hassan’s guards. As the regime crumbled, the guards simply deserted their posts, leaving civilians to survey their newfound freedom.
In addition to Hassan, other senior figures like Hussam Luka and Ali Mamlouk also abandoned their homes, seeking to evade the looming sense of justice. While Luka was less known, sanctions issued against him indicate his involvement in multiple atrocities. Mamlouk, known as "the black box" for his control over sensitive information, has also been targeted for war crimes, especially for actions linked to the 2012 explosions in Tripoli.
While rebels now claim these luxurious properties—some equipped with gyms, swimming pools, and grand decor—many of the idolized figures of the regime remain elusive. Reports suggest that senior officials may exploit their former ties for political deals abroad or disappear into allied nations, complicating efforts to bring them to justice.
Local shopkeepers and residents, after years of anxiety, express a cautious hope for accountability. As they reflect on neighbors they once feared, many now wish for the perpetrators' return to the streets of Syria—not for reconciliation, but for justice. The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression emphasizes the importance of international collaboration in pursuing these war crimes aggressively, echoing sentiments of seeking actual consequences for atrocities faced by countless Syrian civilians.
