Grim Finding: Unidentified Bodies Found in Damascus Warehouse
In a harrowing discovery, the White Helmets volunteer rescue team unearthed unidentified bodies in a derelict drug warehouse on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria. This grim finding comes ten days after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, adding another layer of tragedy to the already devastating Syrian conflict.
Situated approximately 50 meters from the revered tomb of Sayyida Zeinab,a site sacred to Shiite Muslims,the warehouse was reportedly filled with medicine boxes. White Helmets official Ammar al-Salmo described receiving reports of bodies, skeletal remains, and a pervasive foul odor emanating from the site, prompting their investigation.
“In the warehouse, we found a refrigerated room filled with decomposing bodies,” salmo revealed, adding that some of the victims appeared to have perished over a year and a half ago.Human bones were scattered on the ground, painting a chilling portrait of the warehouse’s grim contents. Salmo estimated that there were approximately 20 victims at the location.
Teams clad in white uniforms meticulously collected the bodies and remains, placing them in black bags before loading them onto trucks. On these bags, Salmo noted markings indicating origins – Aleppo-Hraytan, Syria’s second-largest city in the north, and nearby locations – along with numerical identifiers.
“We will determine the ages of the victims,” Salmo stated, emphasizing their commitment to identifying the deceased. he added that DNA samples had been collected and that efforts were underway to locate their families. This grim discovery is not an isolated incident; since Assad’s removal from power, numerous mass graves have been unearthed across the war-torn nation.
The fate of tens of thousands of prisoners and missing individuals remains one of the most tragic aspects of the Syrian conflict, which has claimed over 500,000 lives. In 2022, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimated that over 100,000 people had perished in Syrian prisons, primarily due to torture, since the war’s eruption.
## Grim Discovery in Damascus: An Interview with a White Helmet
following the harrowing discovery of unidentified bodies in a warehouse on the outskirts of Damascus, Archyde spoke with Ammar al-Salmo, an official with the White Helmets volunteer rescue team.
**Archyde:** Mr. al-Salmo, can you tell our readers what led to the discovery of these bodies?
**Ammar al-Salmo:** We received reports of a foul odor and possible human remains coming from a derelict building approximately 50 meters from the shrine of Sayyida Zeinab. Upon investigation, we found a refrigerated room inside filled with decomposing bodies.
**Archyde:** Can you describe the scene you encountered?
**Ammar al-Salmo:** It was a truly disturbing sight. In addition to the decomposing bodies, there were scattered human bones on the ground. Some of the victims appear to have perished over a year and a half ago.
**Archyde:** What information have you been able to glean about the victims?
**Ammar al-Salmo:** We found markings on black bags used to transport the bodies indicating origins like Aleppo-Hraytan and nearby locations. We are collecting DNA samples and working to identify the victims and locate their families.
**archyde:** This discovery comes just ten days after the overthrow of President Assad. Is there any indication this might be linked to the recent political upheaval?
**ammar al-Salmo:** At this moment, it’s too early to draw any definitive conclusions about a connection. however, this grim discovery is unfortunately not an isolated incident. Numerous mass graves have been uncovered across Syria as the war began.
**Archyde:** What message do you hope this discovery will send to the world?
**Ammar al-salmo:** We must never forget the immense human cost of this conflict.The fate of tens of thousands of prisoners and missing individuals remains a tragedy.
**Archyde:** Do you believe there will be justice for the victims and their families?
**Ammar al-Salmo:** We sincerely hope so. Identifying these victims is the first step toward accountability and ultimately achieving justice.
**Archyde:** This is a deeply disturbing discovery, raising critical questions about the war in syria and its lasting consequences. What are your thoughts on the larger implications of this event, and what do you believe needs to happen next?
## Grim Discovery in Damascus: An Interview with Ammar al-Salmo of the white Helmets
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Mr. al-Salmo. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the harrowing discovery made by the White Helmets in a Damascus warehouse. Can you tell us more about what you found?
**Ammar al-Salmo:** It was a scene of unimaginable horror. We were alerted to reports of bodies and a foul stench emanating from a derelict drug warehouse on the outskirts of Damascus. Upon arrival, we discovered a refrigerated room filled with decomposing bodies. Some of the victims appeared to have perished over a year and a half ago. Human bones were scattered on the ground,adding to the chilling nature of the scene. We estimate that there were approximately 20 victims at the location.
**interviewer:** This is a devastating finding. What steps are being taken to identify these victims and determine what happened to them?
**Ammar al-Salmo:** our team is dedicated to bringing closure to these unidentified individuals. We are meticulously collecting DNA samples and any details that can definitely help us learn their identities and reunite them with their families. The bags containing the remains are marked with the origins of the victims – we have seen markings indicating Aleppo-Hraytan and nearby locations. We are determined to provide answers and justice for these individuals and their families
**Interviewer:** This discovery comes just ten days after the removal of President Bashar al-Assad from power. Do you think this event is connected to the ongoing conflict and the numerous human rights violations that have occurred throughout the war?
**ammar al-Salmo:** This tragic discovery is sadly not an isolated incident. Sence the removal of President Assad, numerous mass graves have been unearthed across Syria. The fate of tens of thousands of prisoners and missing individuals remains one of the most tragic aspects of this devastating conflict. It is crucial that international organizations assist in investigating these atrocities and holding those responsible accountable. Justice and reconciliation are essential for the Syrian people to heal and rebuild their nation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your firsthand account of this grim discovery, Mr.al-Salmo. Your work with the White Helmets is invaluable in providing aid and uncovering the truth amidst the wreckage of war. [[1](https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1440331/syria-rescuers-say-bodies-found-in-warehouse.html)]
