Syria’s transitional government Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has detained Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, a senior military justice official under the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed on Thursday, according to France 24.
Hassan, notorious for issuing mass death sentences at the infamous Saydnaya prison, was apprehended following violent clashes in the Assad stronghold of Tartus, where gunmen attempted to shield him.
The recent arrest of the official is the most prominent since Assad’s ousting on December 8, when the former leader fled to Russia after a swift Islamist-led offensive toppled his regime, culminating in the fall of Damascus and ending five decades of Assad family rule.
Legacy of Saydnaya and Hassan’s Role
Hassan served as head of Syria’s military field court from 2011 to 2014, during the early years of the Syrian civil war, which began with Assad’s crackdown on Arab Spring-inspired protests. Later promoted to chief of military justice nationwide, Hassan was responsible for sentencing thousands to death, according to the “Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Saydnaya Prison.”
The Saydnaya prison became synonymous with extrajudicial executions, torture, and forced disappearances, symbolizing the atrocities of Assad’s regime. The fate of tens of thousands of prisoners and missing persons remains one of the darkest legacies of his rule.
Challenges Facing Syria’s New Authorities
HTS, an Islamist group with Al-Qaeda connections, Syria faces the daunting task of rebuilding a war-torn nation while safeguarding its diverse ethnic and religious communities. HTS has moderated its rhetoric, pledging to protect minorities, including the Alawite community, from which Assad hails.
With 500,000 deaths and over 100,000 still missing from the war, the new government has vowed justice for victims of Assad’s regime. However, the transitional authorities must navigate a fractured society, widespread sectarian tensions, and the pervasive availability of arms.
Protests and Sectarian Tensions
Protests erupted across Syria on Wednesday after a video showing an attack on an Alawite shrine circulated online. Demonstrations were reported in Assad’s hometown of Qardaha and other areas, including Homs, where security forces opened fire, killing one and injuring five.
HTS issued a statement condemning the shrine attack, attributing it to “unknown groups” and warning against attempts to incite sectarian strife. Meanwhile, the information ministry banned the dissemination of sectarian content aimed at spreading division.
In Homs, a resident described the atmosphere as “tense,” with HTS deploying forces in protest areas and imposing a nighttime curfew. Protesters in Latakia called for peace, though some warned that excessive pressure on the Alawite community could escalate tensions.
Balancing Justice and Reconciliation
Experts note that the new government faces the dual challenge of addressing sectarian grievances while delivering accountability for crimes committed under Assad. Sam Heller of the Century Foundation emphasized the delicate balance needed to address calls for justice and prevent revenge-driven violence.
For many Syrians, the hope of learning the fate of their missing loved ones and achieving accountability remains paramount. However, the path forward requires careful navigation of Syria’s complex social fabric and war scars.