Damascus, July 23 (SANA) Residents of Damascus’ Mezzeh neighborhood on Wednesday commemorated the Al-Basatin massacre, which was carried out by the deposed regime forces on July 22, 2012, during an event titled “Loyalty to the Martyrs.”
The event, held near Al-Farouq Mosque in Mezzeh, featured speeches honoring the sacrifices of the fighters and a video presentation documenting the role of local opposition activists and their resistance to the deposed regime.
Participants stressed the importance of preserving collective memory and passing on the sacrifices of those martyred to future generations, saying the remembrance serves as a reminder of responsibility during Syria’s reconstruction and rebuilding phase.
People’s Assembly member Fadi al-Halabi said Mezzeh was among the neighborhoods that made significant sacrifices during the revolution, emphasizing the importance of documenting those experiences and preserving them for future generations.
He also called for efforts to highlight the stories of victims’ families and said transitional justice laws would be important in the coming period to address grievances and preserve national memory.
Abdul Latif al-Dayeh, head of the Mezzeh area coordination office, described the anniversary as one of the most painful events in the neighborhood’s history.
He said deposed regime forces, backed by armored vehicles and tanks, entered the Al-Mustafa, Al-Farouq and Al-Ikhlas areas on July 22, 2012, after opposition fighters withdrew from the neighborhoods.
According to al-Dayeh, dozens of people were martyred, more than 100 residents were detained, and many later died under torture. He added that the forcesburned and looted homes and shops, demolishing parts of Al-Ikhlas neighborhood and destroying agricultural areas linked to the area’s history.
Families of those martyred said the annual commemoration was a way to honor their sacrifices and encourage future generations to continue efforts toward rebuilding Syria.
Izdehar al-Zein, the mother of martyr Mohammad Bakr Qawadri, said remembering the massacre helps instill values of responsibility and commitment among younger generations.
Mohammad Saeed al-Hajj, father of martyr Abdul Hadi al-Hajj, said the event reflected continued recognition of the sacrifices made during the revolution and called for addressing injustice through awareness and collective action.
Mezzeh, located near key government and security institutions in Damascus, became one of the early centers of anti-regime protests during the Syrian revolution and remains a significant symbol for many residents of the capital.
T.S /ABD
