Ruth Sherlock

And now they're curious, trying to see the insides of this regime that ruled them for so long.

People are dazed and incredulous. You know, there's celebrations across the country. Like you said, you know, Leila, this regime was in power for over 50 years. And then there was 13 years of devastating civil war. And the Assad family seemed to have won. Then it collapsed like a house of cards. The regime collapsed in the space of just over a week.

People are dazed and incredulous. You know, there's celebrations across the country. Like you said, you know, Leila, this regime was in power for over 50 years. And then there was 13 years of devastating civil war. And the Assad family seemed to have won. Then it collapsed like a house of cards. The regime collapsed in the space of just over a week.

People are dazed and incredulous. You know, there's celebrations across the country. Like you said, you know, Leila, this regime was in power for over 50 years. And then there was 13 years of devastating civil war. And the Assad family seemed to have won. Then it collapsed like a house of cards. The regime collapsed in the space of just over a week.

So there's now major celebrations across the country, but also among the millions of Syrian refugees, many of whom now want to return. NPR producer in Lebanon, Jawad Rasallah, went to Arsal, that's a town on the border with Syria where families have lived in tents for years. He asked a refugee there, Mahmoud Satouf, to describe what was happening.

So there's now major celebrations across the country, but also among the millions of Syrian refugees, many of whom now want to return. NPR producer in Lebanon, Jawad Rasallah, went to Arsal, that's a town on the border with Syria where families have lived in tents for years. He asked a refugee there, Mahmoud Satouf, to describe what was happening.

So there's now major celebrations across the country, but also among the millions of Syrian refugees, many of whom now want to return. NPR producer in Lebanon, Jawad Rasallah, went to Arsal, that's a town on the border with Syria where families have lived in tents for years. He asked a refugee there, Mahmoud Satouf, to describe what was happening.

And, you know, in Damascus there's been celebrations, also some looting, but also Syrians are accessing places they've never been before, like Assad's family palace. This war plunged people into extreme poverty. Now you're seeing the opulence in which the Assad family lived, like sports cars in the garages, and Syrians are coming out of the palace holding fine china and silverware. Shh!

And, you know, in Damascus there's been celebrations, also some looting, but also Syrians are accessing places they've never been before, like Assad's family palace. This war plunged people into extreme poverty. Now you're seeing the opulence in which the Assad family lived, like sports cars in the garages, and Syrians are coming out of the palace holding fine china and silverware. Shh!

And, you know, in Damascus there's been celebrations, also some looting, but also Syrians are accessing places they've never been before, like Assad's family palace. This war plunged people into extreme poverty. Now you're seeing the opulence in which the Assad family lived, like sports cars in the garages, and Syrians are coming out of the palace holding fine china and silverware. Shh!

Well, over 100,000 detainees are believed to be unaccounted for in Syria, and now their loved ones want to find them. So you've got families combing the Sednaya prison in Damascus. There's this huge complex. It was synonymous with fear and torture during the regime. Thousands of people have disappeared there.

Well, over 100,000 detainees are believed to be unaccounted for in Syria, and now their loved ones want to find them. So you've got families combing the Sednaya prison in Damascus. There's this huge complex. It was synonymous with fear and torture during the regime. Thousands of people have disappeared there.

Well, over 100,000 detainees are believed to be unaccounted for in Syria, and now their loved ones want to find them. So you've got families combing the Sednaya prison in Damascus. There's this huge complex. It was synonymous with fear and torture during the regime. Thousands of people have disappeared there.

And now, you know, rights groups say that many of the prisoners have died there of neglect, of torture. There were mass executions in the prisons. But we're also seeing these incredible scenes of detainees being freed.

And now, you know, rights groups say that many of the prisoners have died there of neglect, of torture. There were mass executions in the prisons. But we're also seeing these incredible scenes of detainees being freed.

And now, you know, rights groups say that many of the prisoners have died there of neglect, of torture. There were mass executions in the prisons. But we're also seeing these incredible scenes of detainees being freed.

What you're hearing here is, you know, the sound from a video showing cell doors being bashed open as prisoners, gaunt and grey and dazed, are crying wildly as they learn that the regime has fallen. Some are too injured to walk, so you're seeing them drag themselves towards the exit.

What you're hearing here is, you know, the sound from a video showing cell doors being bashed open as prisoners, gaunt and grey and dazed, are crying wildly as they learn that the regime has fallen. Some are too injured to walk, so you're seeing them drag themselves towards the exit.

What you're hearing here is, you know, the sound from a video showing cell doors being bashed open as prisoners, gaunt and grey and dazed, are crying wildly as they learn that the regime has fallen. Some are too injured to walk, so you're seeing them drag themselves towards the exit.

And rescuers believe, though, there are many more prisoners underground in these cells behind thick walls, so now they're searching for a way to free them too.