Syrians imprisoned in the infamous Sednaya prison for their political views are celebrating their newfound freedom after years of torture under the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The regime collapsed on Sunday following a surprise offensive by rebel forces, marking the end of more than five decades of Baathist rule.

Rudaw’s cameras captured harrowing scenes inside Sednaya prison, where workers, including members of the White Helmets, were seen digging through walls and floors. The effort came in response to social media rumors suggesting that hidden prisoners might still be trapped in the prison’s notorious "red" section.

The dramatic turn of events followed a fierce offensive launched late last month by a coalition of rebels led by the jihadist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The rebels rapidly seized key Syrian cities, including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, before capturing the capital, Damascus. Reports from rebel leaders claim that Bashar al-Assad fled the country, effectively ending his regime.

The fall of Assad's government sparked celebrations across Syria. However, the celebrations were soon overshadowed by chilling revelations about the atrocities committed in Sednaya prison, which has long been a symbol of Assad’s brutal repression. Accounts of torture, sexual assault, and mass executions have begun to emerge, painting a grim picture of life inside the prison.

People from across Syria have traveled to Sednaya, hoping to locate missing family members who were detained during the 14-year Syrian civil war. Among them was a woman searching for her brother, who has been missing since 2018. "I came looking for my brother. We’ve tried everything to find him, but there are still no signs," she said.

Sednaya prison, located on the outskirts of Damascus, became infamous under the Assad regime for its harsh treatment of political detainees and anti-government protesters. Human rights groups have repeatedly called attention to the prison, describing it as a site of systematic torture and large-scale executions.

With Assad’s departure and the regime's collapse, attention is now shifting to uncovering the full extent of abuses committed during his rule. Rebel leaders have vowed to hold former regime officials accountable, while international human rights organizations have called for investigations into war crimes committed at Sednaya and other detention centers across Syria.