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(10/10) The “Idlib model” doesn’t suit a modern state, says the magazine. While conservative Sunnis cheer Assad’s downfall, real tests of tolerance loom. Will al-Sharaa’s pragmatism triumph, or will hard-liners tighten their grip? Uncertain—but hope for coexistence endures.

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• The Economist cites Marwan Tayyar, an art-house director, who recalls the 14th-century Mongol conqueror Tamerlane eventually calmed in Damascus: “You can conquer Damascus, but you can’t defeat its spirit.” ✨

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(8/10) Diplomatically, The Economist says al-Sharaa seeks global recognition for funds & sanction relief. • Turkish-backed militias & UAE-backed groups vie for sway in “New Syria.” • Al-Sharaa must juggle sponsors while checking jihadists pushing strict Sharia 🤔.

(7/10) On women’s rights, there’s a clash: • Notices insist on veiling; some offices have separate entrances. • Al-Sharaa named a female central bank chief to show “modern” governance 🌐. Will this balance survive the hard-liners’ pressure?

(6/10) Minorities, esp. Alawites, face a grim reality: • Returning Sunnis reclaim Homs homes by force. • Preachers in nearby villages, armed, demand “kuffar” convert. • Alawite areas fear retaliation as “old regime remnants.”

(5/10) Another force: Ahmed al-Awdeh’s southern Sunnis (15k troops), who reached Damascus first on 8 Dec. • The UAE partly funds him to offset Turkish-backed jihadists. • Rivalries over territory & funding stir tension with al-Sharaa’s bloc 🤝.

(4/10) Security: al-Sharaa refused to reinstate Assad’s police, relying on: • 13k–35k HTS fighters • Up to 50k Turkey-linked Sunni militiamen • 400–2,500 foreign fighters All prefer smuggling profits over uncertain pay 💰, making control tough.

(3/10) The Economist contrasts Idlib’s strict past with “New Syria” in Damascus: • Xmas, lights, mixed dancing now permitted. • In Idlib, such acts meant execution or expulsion. Jihadists steeped in harsh “morality codes” ⚖️ find this shift baffling.

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(2/10) The new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Muhammad al-Jolani), aims for a more tolerant stance: • He halted seizing an Ottoman palace by NYE, despite a local jihadist calling female artists “sinful.” • Allowed Xmas decorations, church crosses & mixed dancing—angering Salafists.

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🧵1 A dramatic shift has gripped Syria after the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December, leaving many violent jihadists feeling frustrated and 🔴 unsettled. A fresh report by The Economist (14 January 2025) sheds light on the political, security and religious contradictions shaping this “New Syria.”

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9) International Framework ICPPED (2006) ©UN: Prohibits enforced disappearance. CAT (1984) ©UN: Prohibits torture under any circumstances. UNSC Res 2474 (2019) ©UN: Urges accountability, labeling systematic disappearance as a crime against humanity. These frameworks must guide future legal action.

8) 2024 Data & Ongoing Violations Post-2023 ICJ ruling condemning torture, SNHR 2024 stats still show forced disappearances & systemic abuse persisted until Assad’s downfall. Official civil records often concealed torture deaths, hinting many cases remain undocumented. Source: ©SNHR, ©ICJ

7) Key Figures 15,383 Syrians died under torture since 2011 (including 199 children & 115 women). 157,287 remain detained or disappeared; 86% by the regime. 72 methods documented, peaking 2012–2014. Caesar photos exposed 6,786 victims, 1,017 identified. #Syria #HumanRights Source: ©SNHR

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6) 1 Forced Labor: Construction, carrying heavy loads, personal servitude. Torture in Military Hospitals: Deliberate harm during “treatment.” Segregation: Solitary confinement for months or years. #Syria #HumanRights Source: ©SNHR

6) Beyond Physical Torture Medical Neglect: Denial of treatment, overcrowded cells, unsanitary conditions. Sexual Violence: Rape, forced nudity, threats—targeting all genders, often in front of others. Psychological Torture: Mock executions, threats to family, forced confessions.

5)Physical Torture Breakdown SNHR organizes physical torture into 9 categories, including: Water-based torture Electricity Fire & oil Hanging/shabeh Immobilization Fixation & beating Crushing/cutting/stabbing Flogging Throwing & dragging Each sub-technique is designed to maximize pain. Source: ©SNHR

4) Aleppo’s State Security Branch Leaked images from Aleppo confirm brutal methods (whipping, tire torture, shabeh). SNHR cites these align with 72 distinct torture strategies—whips, rods, cigarettes, fire, electric shocks—all systematically applied to detainees. Source: ©SNHR

3) Notorious Devices Methods like the ‘Magic Carpet’ (foldable wooden slabs), ‘Doulab’ (the wheel), and ‘Shabeh’ (ghost position) were documented since 2019. These techniques stretch or suspend detainees in positions causing excruciating pain and potential permanent injuries. ©SNHR

In Dec 2024, the Financial Times ©FT published “Investigators race to secure evidence of atrocities by Syria’s Assad regime” (Dec 29, 2024). Leaked videos & survivor accounts from Branch 251 in Damascus and other sites reveal industrial tools repurposed for torture—amplifying the horror once hidden.

Maher Akraa @maherakraa.com · 02/01/2025

1) Overview Years before Assad’s regime fell, human rights groups (e.g., Amnesty International, Syrian Network for Human Rights exposed 72 torture methods across 50+ detention centers. After the regime’s collapse in Dec 2024, new images & testimonies confirm a systematic pattern of brutality.

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🎥 In an interview with Al Jazeera English, Syria's Interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani addressed the future of peace talks with Israel. What are your thoughts on this statement? Could this mark a new chapter in the region's history?

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Statements from Shadi Al-Waisi, Syrian Interim Government Minister of Justice: What is the concept of implementing God’s law (Sharia)? 90% of Syrians are Muslims, and parliament will reflect their aspirations. Sharia will play a key role in the next phase. What do you think?

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10/ 🌍 Justice Beyond the Regime: As more mass graves are uncovered across Syria, how can we ensure accountability and healing for families of the disappeared? What steps can be taken to ensure that no detainee is forgotten? Let’s discuss. 💬 #HumanRights #Syria #TransitionalJustice

9/ ❓ A Question for Reflection: The Assad regime fell last month, and human rights organizations confirmed that prisons have been emptied. Yet, families across Syria continue to search for their missing loved ones, hanging photos in streets, clinging to hope.

8/ From Survivor to Witness: Nuran later became a witness and plaintiff in the Koblenz trial (Germany), where Anwar Raslan was sentenced to life for state torture and war crimes. Today, she lives in Switzerland with her daughter, far from her homeland but carrying the scars of her past.

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6/ Branch 251 in History: Branch 251 is one of Syria's most notorious detention centers. It became internationally known after the convictions of Eyad Al-Gharib and Anwar Raslan, former officers of the branch, in Germany. Both were found guilty of torture and crimes against humanity.

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5/ Testimonies from Survivors One former detainee recalls being held in a red cell in Branch 251 with 14 others, including 2 children, in a space no larger than 2 square meters. The cries of the children asking for their fathers were heartbreaking, he said, overshadowing his own suffering. Video 1/2

4/ ⬛ And the Black Cell? Black, on the other hand, creates a sense of despair and isolation. It's associated with darkness and finality, amplifying the detainee's sense of hopelessness. These colors aren't mere choices—they are psychological weapons. Source: Color Psychology and Environment.

3/ 🟥 What Does a Red Cell Mean? In the context of oppressive regimes, the use of a red-painted cell is intentional. Scientifically, red is a color that increases arousal, agitation, and stress. In solitary confinement, red intensifies feelings of anxiety and entrapment. Source: Genschow et al., 2015

2/ These cells represent more than just spaces; they symbolize the brutal oppression of the Assad regime, infamous for its systematic use of violence, detention, and human rights abuses over 50 years of authoritarian rule.

Maher Akraa @maherakraa.com · 31/12/2024

1/ 🟥 Red Cell, Black Cell: A chilling video from the infamous "Branch 251" (Al-Khatib Branch) of Syrian intelligence shows abandoned solitary confinement cells in red and black. These cells, once filled with detainees, are known for their cramped size, poor lighting, and horrific use of torture.

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Damascus celebrates 2025 with the spirit of freedom. #Syria

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6/ This act of gifting reflects shared struggles for freedom and the hope for future collaboration. Could it signal a new chapter in Ukrainian-Syrian relations?

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5/ What is the Golden Pectoral? Discovered in 1971 in Tovsta Mohyla, this 4th-century BC masterpiece showcases Scythian craftsmanship, depicting daily life and mythology. It’s a testament to Ukraine’s rich history.

4/ Symbolism Over Materiality: Whether original or not, the gesture's symbolic value remains paramount. It signifies the sharing of cultural identity and the promotion of independence for a new Syria.

3/ Original or Replica? It’s highly unlikely that the original pectoral—an iconic artifact preserved in Ukraine’s National Museum—was gifted. Most likely, it was a high-quality replica.

2/ A Message of Independence: The pectoral, a symbol of Ukrainian heritage, represents resilience and the pursuit of freedom. It’s a gesture of support for nations striving to break free from foreign domination, including Syria post-Assad.

1/ 🟡 Today, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha gifted the Golden Pectoral or a replica to Ahmad Al-Sharaa. This gesture holds profound political and cultural symbolism, reflecting Ukraine's ongoing fight for freedom and solidarity with Syria.

Additional Promotions: The Ministry of Defense also promoted Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Nour Al-Din Al-Nasan to the rank of Major General, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

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Foreign Officers Promoted: Abdul Rahman Hussein Al-Khatib (Abu Hussein Al-Jordani) A graduate of the University of Jordan’s Faculty of Medicine, he traveled to Syria in late 2013. Known for his Salafi Jihadi ideology and loyalty to "Al-Jolani," he quickly rose through the ranks of HTS.

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Today, the "General Command" of the Ministry of Defense in the Syrian caretaker government announced a list of officer promotions that included non-Syrian names. The list featured 3 foreign officers promoted to the rank of Brigadier General out of 5.

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14️⃣ Audience Question How do you view Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly Abu Mohammad al-Julani) today? Is he a pragmatic leader capable of steering HTS toward legitimacy, or is this a calculated rebranding effort for survival? Let us know your thoughts below. 👇

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13️⃣ Diplomatic Shifts Post-Assad The meeting between Al-Sharaa and Barbara Leaf signals a pragmatic shift in U.S. foreign policy. Julani’s rebranding efforts align with his attempts to present HTS as a stabilizing force in post-Assad Syria.

12️⃣ Is HTS Still a Terrorist Organization? Yes, HTS remains on the U.S. terrorist list. During the meeting, Julani committed to renouncing terrorism and ensuring HTS poses no threats to the West. Barbara Leaf emphasized that HTS must prove its reform through actions.

11️⃣ The Biden administration announced the removal of the $10 million bounty on Julani after HTS’s pivotal role in Assad’s ouster earlier this month. Julani met with U.S. diplomat Barbara Leaf in Damascus, marking the first official U.S. diplomatic visit to Syria since Assad's fall.

🔟 HTS and its leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, now serve as the de facto authority in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. A caretaker government has been formed, consisting entirely of officials from the Salvation Government in Idlib, which was previously under HTS control.

9️⃣ Martin Smith’s Closing Questions The documentary ends with Martin Smith challenging Julani’s credibility. His past alliances with al-Qaeda and ISIS, combined with ongoing human rights concerns, make trust difficult.

8️⃣ U.S. Bounty and Terrorist Designation In 2013, the U.S. placed a $10 million bounty on Julani for his al-Qaeda ties. By 2021, he argued in the documentary that his focus was on fighting Assad, not the West.