Economist Podcasts
Mass graves: revealing Syria’s horror
Dec 18, 2024
Gareth Brown, a Correspondent recently returned from Syria, shares firsthand accounts of uncovering a mass grave near Damascus, highlighting the haunting stories of families seeking missing relatives. Sophie Petter, The Economist's Paris bureau chief, analyzes the political challenges faced by France’s new Prime Minister, Francois Beirut, amid rising far-right sentiments. The conversation blends deep emotional narratives with urgent calls for global accountability in Syria's humanitarian crisis, offering a chilling glimpse into the aftermath of a fallen regime.
29:09
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Quick takeaways
- The discovery of mass graves in Syria highlights the brutal tactics used by the Assad regime and the trauma experienced by locals.
- Amidst despair, families searching for closure reveal a strong desire for justice and accountability from the regime's responsible figures.
Deep dives
Uncovering Syria's Mass Graves
The aftermath of the Assad regime's fall in Syria has led to the discovery of potential mass graves, with one particularly alarming site in Al-Qataifa. Human rights organizations previously identified this compound through satellite imagery as a possible burial ground, with local estimates suggesting tens of thousands, or even over 100,000 bodies could be buried there. The eerie silence at the site is broken only by stray dogs, giving a haunting sense of the trauma that has blanketed this area for years. For the first time, locals feel empowered to share their experiences, revealing fears and the weight of oppression that marked their lives under the regime.
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