Published SATURDAY, December 28, 2024: 'IF WALLS COULD TALK' Pictures by 4 time Pulitzer Prize winning ZUMA Press photographer Carol Guzy: The notorious Sednaya prison and other military intelligence branch jails in Damascus where inmates etched drawings on walls with pencils and green soap of thoughts, hopes, and dreams, where countless men disappeared during the brutal Assad regime in Syria. If walls could talk, the testimony of suffering would be profound. Primarily for political prisoners, Sednaya called the ''human slaughterhouse'' by Amnesty International held 20,000 inmates under brutal conditions, many describe atrocities torture, rape and killings. The walls hold scratch marks for days spent in eerie dark and lonely cells shared with bugs and rats, names, hometowns, dates, intricate drawings of tearful eyes, flags, peace doves and women they long for. The creative spark cannot be silenced. Welcome to: 'IF WALLS COULD TALK'
© zReportage.com Issue #973 Story of the Week: Published SATURDAY, December 28, 2024: 'IF WALLS COULD TALK' Pictures by 4 time Pulitzer Prize winning ZUMA Press photographer Carol Guzy: The notorious Sednaya prison and other military intelligence branch jails in Damascus where inmates etched drawings on walls with pencils and green soap of thoughts, hopes, and dreams, where countless men disappeared during the brutal Assad regime in Syria. If walls could talk, the testimony of suffering would be profound. Primarily for political prisoners, Sednaya called the ''human slaughterhouse'' by Amnesty International held 20,000 inmates under brutal conditions, many describe atrocities torture, rape and killings. The walls hold scratch marks for days spent in eerie dark and lonely cells shared with bugs and rats, names, hometowns, dates, intricate drawings of tearful eyes, flags, peace doves and women they long for. The creative spark cannot be silenced. Welcome to: 'IF WALLS COULD TALK'
The notorious Sednaya prison where inmates etched drawings of thoughts, hopes, and dreams on walls with pencils and green soap where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. If walls could talk, the testimony of suffering would be profound. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The darkness of a cell where inmates etched drawings of thoughts, hopes, and dreams on walls with pencils and soap at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. If walls could talk, the testimony of suffering would be profound.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Wall etchings at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners where inmates passed time drawing on walls during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
FATEN MASALMEH from Daraa searches for clues in writings on the walls about her brother Tareq Masalmeh, missing since 2013, at the notorious Sednaya prison in Damascus. She believed prisoners communicated via water pipes when soldiers cut off water at night and she listens now at each cell for any sound. She said they used standard Arabic to avoid being recognized by their dialects. 'Allah, Ya Karim, Ya Rab meaning 'Oh God, the Generous, Oh Lord' is written on this wall beside names scratched out: Ghanm Kannah, Darraa Habab, Mohamad Stateyah.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
‘The darkness of night and the humiliation of pain.’ is written on the wall at the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Handcuffs and a rope are some of the torture tools at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 that was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared in Damascus during President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus.. On right wall is written 'I appeal to you God.' The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
An interrogation room at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 that was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Prisoners drawing of a key on a cell wall in the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Clothing hangs on a cell wall inside the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless people disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. Writing that is encircled says 'The men of Ghouta' which is where an infamous chemical weapons attack happened. In 2013, rockets containing the nerve agent sarin were fired at several rebel-held suburbs in Eastern and Western Ghouta, killing hundreds of people.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Etchings on walls at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus Syria. Written next to the guns it says 'Time Will Pass' and lists the prices for weapons.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. Written on wall are prayers said when someone dies.'We belong to God and to him we return.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Cell walls in the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners were covered in scrawled, handwritten messages, prayers and sometimes names, hometowns, dates, intricate drawings of tearful eyes, flags, peace doves and women they long for.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A date is written on a cell wall inside the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Writing on the cell walls inside the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. Written in the heart is 'I love you to death. Youssef, My life is torture.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. Scrawled by a prisoner onto the cell wall under the dove it says 'Sobhan Allah' which means 'Praise to God.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Cells in the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal Assad regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A small cell inside the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. On right wall of a tiny cell, inside circle it says 'Duha I love you' beside the names 'Abu Ahmad', 'Subhan Allah', giving credit to God and the dove of peace.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Showers for prisoners held at the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Concrete cell with no windows a toilet in the floor at the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Green soap was used for drawings on walls at the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Green soap was used for drawings on walls at the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A single crutch leans against a wall in the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Inside the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Prosthetic legs at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. 'You have been away from us for too long, I've been waiting for you,' is written in and around the branches of the tree. Possibly a memorial to someone who died.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A map of the world is drawn at the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Drawing on the walls by prisoners in the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal Assad regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A heart scratched on a cell wall in the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Drawing of a mosque by a prisoner on a cell wall of the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal Assad regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Drawing of a hot air balloon floating away at the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. On cell wall is written 'God deliver me so that I can see my mother.' Oh God have mercy on me. I have entrusted you and you are my love. Oh God allow me to see my daughter soon. Deliver me God, you generous one. Please God reunite me with my brother. Oh kind one, be kind with me.No God but God.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Writing on the cell walls by prisoners locked up a the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A ship sailing away is drawn on a cell wall at the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Drawings on cell walls in the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Prisoners drawings of trucks and vehicles on cell walls in the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus Written on the wall is 'Al Ristine
© December 18, 2024, Damascus, Syria: The Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus Written on the wall is 'Al Ristine
Drawings on cell walls in the notorious Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A defaced image of Assad wearing sunglasses on the Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Eerie scenes of empty cells inside the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A rebel soldier from Idlib guards the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A soldier demonstrates how prisoners were tortured at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 that was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A soldier demonstrates how prisoners were tortured at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 that was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
BASSAM MOHAMED ARAB ESSA was a former inmate at the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. He shows how he was tortured. He was a soldier in Assad's regime and was detained for refusing to shoot civilians that were protesting. When he was released from prison, he joined the freedom fighters in Idlib and now returned to Damascus and walks through the prison until he felt ill and needed to leave.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
BASSAM MOHAMED ARAB ESSA was a former inmate at the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. He stands over a pile of padlocks, eye masks and chains used by prisoners. Bassam was a soldier in Assad's regime and was detained for refusing to shoot civilians that were protesting. When he was released from prison, he joined the freedom fighters in Idlib and now returned to Damascus and walks through the prison until he felt ill and needed to leave.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
BASSAM MOHAMED ARAB ESSA was a former inmate at the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. He shows how he was tortured. He was a soldier in Assad's regime and was detained for refusing to shoot civilians that were protesting. When he was released from prison, he joined the freedom fighters in Idlib and now returned to Damascus and walks through the prison until he felt ill and needed to leave.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Torture tools and blindfolds at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 that was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
An Imam who was a former prisoner at the criminal branch prison talks about cramped conditions and torture he experienced under the brutal regime in Damascus. He said he made comments about a peaceful protest march and was arrested, being released months later after paying a large sum to be freed.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
People react to machines that were said to cut up bodies at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal Assad regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Devices were found believed to cut bodies at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless people disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
FATEN MASALMEH from Daraa looks at a machine reportedly used to crush bodies to 'fit more in mass graves' at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during the brutal Assad regime in Damascus. She searches for clues about her brother Tareq Masalmeh, missing since 2013. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A heart on the wall in the women's cells at the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless people disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Inside a prison cell in the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Inside a women's cell at the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless people disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Black hand prints on cell walls in the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Belonging's hang on the wall in a women's cell at the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless people disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Children's shoes and clothes in cells at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 that was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless people disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The former flag of the Assad regime is etched on the wall of the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during the brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A solitary confinement cell at the Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
‘I wish a home’ is written on the wall of a cell at the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus Syria on January 2, 2025. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The word 'love' scrawled on a cell wall in the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Prisoners drawing's on the cell walls of the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Prisoners drawing of a broken heart on a cell wall in the notorious Mezzeh prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal Assad regime in Syria.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A heart on the wall in the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Whimsical drawings of freedom, former lives and women they longed for were etched on the walls of cells at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A former prisoner walks through the dark hallway of cells at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad from power.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
