Relatives of missing Syrians 'suspended between hope and despair'

In Syria, many families are experiencing deep sadness and uncertainty as they search for their missing loved ones. One such family is that of Hiba Abdulhakim Qasawaad, a 24-year-old woman from Homs. Nearly twelve years ago, her grandfather, father, and two brothers were taken away by the military, and she describes the situation as 'devastating. ' Despite the fact that Saydnaya Prison, known for its brutal treatment of detainees, has been emptied, Hiba and her family continue to hold onto hope. 'Now, miles away from that most brutal prison, we are huddling around screens, our hearts suspended between hope and despair,' she shared during an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme. This illustrates the emotional turmoil they face as they search through footage, hoping to catch a glimpse of their missing family members. On a recent Sunday, when rebel forces took control of the capital city, families rushed to Saydnaya Prison, located just outside of Damascus. This prison has a notorious reputation for holding political prisoners, many of whom were tortured and executed. However, with rescue workers now concluding their search for detainees, families are left grappling with renewed anguish. Hiba expressed, 'Now freedom rings like a bell too loud for ears accustomed to silence. ' This poignant statement reflects the bittersweet nature of their situation; while they long for freedom, the absence of their loved ones casts a shadow over any potential joy. Hiba recalls the traumatic night when her family members were taken. She was only 12 years old when soldiers stormed her home on January 28, 2013, dragging away her male relatives. In total, 48 members of her family were seized during that raid. Tragically, one of her brothers had already lost his life fighting against Assad's army in 2012, during a civil war that erupted following the Arab Spring protests in 2011. Hiba described the overwhelming anguish that consumed her family at that time, stating, 'No words can describe the overwhelming anguish that consumed us at that time. ' Since that fateful night, she has not seen her family members, but released prisoners have reported hearing their names within the prison walls. Hiba's grandfather, born in 1939, is now elderly, while her father was born in 1962, and her brothers were born in 1989 and 1994. Hiba shared that after the fall of Assad's regime and the liberation of prisoners, her family is experiencing a mix of emotions, feeling 'a mixture between laughter and tears. ' They are uncertain about what the future holds, but they remain committed to searching for their loved ones. 'We hope we have this spark of happiness again in our lives, because it was swept away with the day that they have taken them,' she said. The emotional weight of their situation is palpable, as they cling to the hope of reuniting with their missing family members.