Reports | 25 05 2020
The families of kidnapped Syrian regime army soldiers followed closely the prisoner exchange in Lebanon. There is huge resentment [among them] and charging Bashar al-Assad for being personally responsible for neglect of their loved ones' file; in favor of the exchange of kidnapped foreigners and their bodies.
Communication has been lost with hundreds of Syrian regime army soldiers, who fought in areas controlled by the Nusra Front [NF], Daesh, or any of the opposition factions, in battles with the regime. Their families have not received any news from them; most of the bodies of those who were killed, were not given to their families.
More than two thousand armed young men in the [Military] College of Management, and the School of Infantry in Aleppo, were captured when the regime army withdrew from both areas. Nothing was done, to date, for a swap or “liberation” attempt. Most of their families have lost all hope of their return, following many years and months of absence.
Janet, mother of George, a graduate of the Faculty of English literature at Tishreen University, tells Rozana: "My son was in his second year of mandatory service at the College of Administration in Aleppo. He was with his comrades when they came under attack; the officers responsible for protection abandoned them… he could not get out."
She adds: "To this day, we have no contact with him. All we know, is that he was abducted with more than 300 other young colleagues, and that the NF is requesting to trade them for prisoners of the Syrian security forces. Every week I go to the Ministry of Reconciliation in Damascus to ask about any developments concerning the [prisoner] exchange, but to no avail.”
Resentment Among the Families!
The degree of resentment against the regime leaders and administrators in the city of Latakia, has reached fever pitch; with some even personally blaming Bashar al-Assad, and holding him responsible for the neglect of their children’s file; in favor of other files—such as the Lebanese Shiite “pilgrims,” Lebanese and Iranian soldiers, and Hezbollah militants.
"I saw the video of my child on one of the opposition channels. When we asked for our children and women to be returned, security officials answered us that the state does concede to or negotiate with the terrorists," says Abu Ali, father of two girls hijacked in the Lattakia countryside of Latakia, by the NF.
The man explains: "When I see today the state negotiate with the militants to restore the Lebanese prisoners, and the Hezbollah prisoners; I feel that the State is exploiting me and my children."
Rewards for Russian Tasks!
Half a million Syrian pounds. That was the bonus received of the Syrian regime commandos, who participated in the liberation of the Russian pilot in the Lattakia countryside, after his plane was shot down by Turkey last month.
This has resulted in a great outcry from the families of young men held in reserve with the regime forces. They only receive fifteen thousand Syrian per month. Objection to the actions of the regime's security leaders is no longer done in secret; it now is an open general issue, plain talk one can hear in any house—whether in Lattakia or its countryside.
Six year-old Sarah, when asked about her father, answers: "Daddy is at work. He has not come back for a long time now, nor has he come for my last three birthdays."
Her mother says: "My husband was a truck driver, transporting building materials from the Damascus countryside to Lattakia. He was kidnapped on the Homs highway.” She adds: “That day, I received a call from an armed group, in which I was asked to communicate with my husband’s brother, an officer in the military security in Damascus; for the release of one of their detainees. That was not done, and I have lost contact with my husband ever since."