New mass graves found in Aleppo with sacks full of human remains

ALEPPO, SYRIA - JAN. 5, 2025: On Monday, Jan. 5, new mass graves believed to contain the remains of civilians killed by the ousted Assad regime were found in the village of Naqqarin, Aleppo, Syria. Mass graves are being uncovered across Syria as part of search and recovery efforts following the fall of the Baath regime. The site features deep trenches filled with human remains. Evidence suggests that victims, including those who died from torture or harsh conditions in prisons like Sednaya, were buried there. Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party's regime, which had been in power since 1963. The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks. A new administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has now taken charge. (Footage by Velit El Idlibi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)