Dia Hadid

That was a pretty common tactic at the time because the brothers had joined the uprising against the regime. Jibawi and Heba were driven to holding cells run by the Air Force Intelligence Directorate. That was one of the most feared and violent arms of the Syrian regime. Guards pushed her and Heba into a cold, dark cell with about six other women and their children.

That was a pretty common tactic at the time because the brothers had joined the uprising against the regime. Jibawi and Heba were driven to holding cells run by the Air Force Intelligence Directorate. That was one of the most feared and violent arms of the Syrian regime. Guards pushed her and Heba into a cold, dark cell with about six other women and their children.

That was a pretty common tactic at the time because the brothers had joined the uprising against the regime. Jibawi and Heba were driven to holding cells run by the Air Force Intelligence Directorate. That was one of the most feared and violent arms of the Syrian regime. Guards pushed her and Heba into a cold, dark cell with about six other women and their children.

Nearly all the women's cells also held children, but the conditions there were not conducive to staying alive. Jibawi says they were only allowed to use the bathroom three times a day, not enough for little kids. So the mothers procured a bucket for the children to use as a toilet and they emptied it out whenever they could. There was never enough food.

Nearly all the women's cells also held children, but the conditions there were not conducive to staying alive. Jibawi says they were only allowed to use the bathroom three times a day, not enough for little kids. So the mothers procured a bucket for the children to use as a toilet and they emptied it out whenever they could. There was never enough food.

Nearly all the women's cells also held children, but the conditions there were not conducive to staying alive. Jibawi says they were only allowed to use the bathroom three times a day, not enough for little kids. So the mothers procured a bucket for the children to use as a toilet and they emptied it out whenever they could. There was never enough food.

An egg once a week, 15 olives twice a week, plain yogurt every four days. sometimes jam, boiled rice one day, boiled lentils the next, boiled potatoes after that. Shabawi says she gave Heba her share so she'd stay alive. But still, her daughter was losing weight. She became infested with lice.

An egg once a week, 15 olives twice a week, plain yogurt every four days. sometimes jam, boiled rice one day, boiled lentils the next, boiled potatoes after that. Shabawi says she gave Heba her share so she'd stay alive. But still, her daughter was losing weight. She became infested with lice.

An egg once a week, 15 olives twice a week, plain yogurt every four days. sometimes jam, boiled rice one day, boiled lentils the next, boiled potatoes after that. Shabawi says she gave Heba her share so she'd stay alive. But still, her daughter was losing weight. She became infested with lice.

And she says 20 days after she arrived, prison guards banged on their cell doors and told the women, get your children ready. It was chaos.

And she says 20 days after she arrived, prison guards banged on their cell doors and told the women, get your children ready. It was chaos.

And she says 20 days after she arrived, prison guards banged on their cell doors and told the women, get your children ready. It was chaos.

And even now, years later, Shbawi cries as she remembers this. One woman who'd been detained for a while told them, say goodbye to your children now because they're going to take them away. Don't make a fuss or they'll put you in solitary.

And even now, years later, Shbawi cries as she remembers this. One woman who'd been detained for a while told them, say goodbye to your children now because they're going to take them away. Don't make a fuss or they'll put you in solitary.

And even now, years later, Shbawi cries as she remembers this. One woman who'd been detained for a while told them, say goodbye to your children now because they're going to take them away. Don't make a fuss or they'll put you in solitary.

but some women wouldn't let go, so the guards came in and took their children by force. Shabawi drew Heba into her lap. She put her arms around her and hugged her. She said, You're going to a better place, and when this ends, you'll be with me and I'll hug you. Shabawi hoped that was true. She prayed. Oh God, protect her with your watchful eye that never sleeps.

but some women wouldn't let go, so the guards came in and took their children by force. Shabawi drew Heba into her lap. She put her arms around her and hugged her. She said, You're going to a better place, and when this ends, you'll be with me and I'll hug you. Shabawi hoped that was true. She prayed. Oh God, protect her with your watchful eye that never sleeps.

but some women wouldn't let go, so the guards came in and took their children by force. Shabawi drew Heba into her lap. She put her arms around her and hugged her. She said, You're going to a better place, and when this ends, you'll be with me and I'll hug you. Shabawi hoped that was true. She prayed. Oh God, protect her with your watchful eye that never sleeps.

As the months went on, Shabawi watched more mothers come into the cell and she watched them have their children snatched away, including newborn babies. She says pregnant women detained alongside her were taken to hospital when they went into labour. After birth, the women were returned to their lock-up with their babies.

As the months went on, Shabawi watched more mothers come into the cell and she watched them have their children snatched away, including newborn babies. She says pregnant women detained alongside her were taken to hospital when they went into labour. After birth, the women were returned to their lock-up with their babies.