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Hundreds of Syrians gathered in central Damascus on Thursday to mourn Mazen al-Hamada, a prominent anti-government activist who was killed in prison during the final days of President Bashar Assad’s regime. The funeral procession quickly transformed into a powerful call for justice, reviving echoes of the early days of Syria’s 2011 uprising.
Chants such as “We will not forget your blood, Mazen” and “We will get our revenge, Bashar” filled the streets as young Syrians marched through al-Hijaz Square, many expressing mixed feelings of newfound freedom and apprehension about the insurgents now in control.
Al-Hamada, 47, was a symbol of resistance against Assad’s regime. After surviving torture in detention, he fled to the Netherlands, where he became a vocal advocate for Syrian prisoners. Despite international recognition, he returned to Syria in 2020, reportedly lured by promises of safety, only to vanish. His body, discovered in a Damascus hospital last week, bore signs of torture, according to relatives.
“This government’s policy for 55 years has been torture,” said Zeina Baaj, a mourner from al-Hamada’s hometown of Deir al-Zour. “Mazen’s story is just the tip of the iceberg.”
The march highlighted the broader tragedy of Syria’s disappeared. Tens of thousands remain missing after being detained during Assad’s rule. Many families, like Fares Abul-Huda, continue searching for loved ones. Abul-Huda’s brother Mahmoud was last heard to be in Saydnaya, a notorious prison on Damascus’ outskirts, which insurgents broke into last weekend. Yet, Mahmoud remains missing.
Participants reflected on the significance of the march. For some, it was their first public demonstration since Assad’s brutal crackdown over a decade ago. “I never imagined rallying in Damascus again,” said Mohammad Kulthum, 32, who marched with his mother.
For others, like 22-year-old Bayan Andoura, the funeral was an opportunity to embrace freedoms denied during their entire lives. “We couldn’t chant these slogans before. Now, we want to honor them and create new ones,” she said.
However, uncertainty looms. The insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), whose leaders claim to have abandoned extremist roots, now governs Damascus. Skepticism persists over their promises of a more inclusive future. Concerns were amplified when HTS leaders initially appeared alongside Islamist flags, later removed after public outcry.
Tensions were evident during the funeral when armed men fired into the air in support, prompting marchers to ask them to stop.
For many, the day evoked a complex mix of emotions. Hani Zia, watching from the sidelines, said the procession brought joy, sorrow, and fear for Syria’s future. “Freedom has come at a high price—so many lives lost,” he said.
As the march concluded, participants pondered what lies ahead. “I’m not sure we’ll see a scene like this again,” Zia said. “We want a Syria where we can walk freely, without being questioned about our religion, sect, or identity.”
