Syria's Hidden Past: Uncovering the Secrets of Dhumair

In a remote desert area east of Damascus, a disturbing secret lies buried. The Dhumair desert, once a military weapons depot, is now the site of a mass grave. This grave is a chilling reminder of the atrocities committed under the rule of Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian government has recently taken steps to secure the site and has opened a criminal investigation into the matter. The story of Dhumair begins in 2018, when Assad's inner circle orchestrated a plan to hide the bodies of thousands of victims. This operation, codenamed "Operation Move Earth, " involved transporting bodies from a mass grave on the outskirts of Damascus to the Dhumair desert. The site was left unguarded over the summer, allowing journalists to discover its existence. Since then, the Syrian government has taken measures to secure the site. A checkpoint has been established at the entrance to the military installation, and visitors now need access permits from the Defense Ministry. Satellite images show increased vehicle activity around the main base area.The police have also opened an investigation into the grave. They have photographed the site, carried out land surveys, and interviewed witnesses. Among those interviewed was Ahmed Ghazal, a mechanic who repaired trucks carrying bodies that broke down at the Dhumair grave site. Ghazal confirmed that during the time of "Operation Move Earth, " the military installation appeared vacant except for the soldiers involved in accompanying the convoys. The National Commission for Missing Persons, established after Assad's ouster, is in the process of training personnel and creating laboratories to meet international standards for mass grave exhumations. Exhumations at Syria's many Assad-era mass graves, including the site at Dhumair, are scheduled for 2027. The police have referred their report on Dhumair to the Adra district attorney, Judge Zaman al-Abdullah. Al-Abdullah is cross-referencing information about Assad-era suspects involved in the Dhumair operation with documents obtained by security branches after the dictator's fall in December 2024. The story of Dhumair is a stark reminder of the brutality of the Assad regime. It is also a testament to the resilience of the Syrian people, who continue to seek justice and accountability for the atrocities committed under Assad's rule.