Children of Syrian dentist disappeared under Assad likely dead, says commission
Syria's commission for missing persons has concluded that the six children of dentist Rania al-Abbasi, who disappeared in 2013, are likely dead. Their uncle confirmed their deaths after viewing a video that implicated them in financing terrorism. The case highlights the broader issue of missing persons in Syria, with estimates suggesting over 300,000 individuals have gone missing during the Assad regime.
- ▪The National Commission for Missing Persons in Syria stated that Dr Rania al-Abbasi's children are deceased based on reliable evidence.
- ▪The children went missing in March 2013 after government forces raided their home in Damascus.
- ▪Their uncle confirmed their deaths after seeing a video linking them to accusations of financing terrorism.
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Children of Syrian dentist disappeared under Assad likely dead, says commissionSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxFormer Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was ousted in 2024. The number of people who went missing over decades of Assad family rule is thought to exceed 300,000.PHOTO: REUTERSPublished May 31, 2026, 01:17 AMUpdated May 31, 2026, 01:17 AMSummariseSyria's missing persons commission concluded that dentist Rania al-Abbasi's six children, disappeared in 2013, are likely dead.Their uncle confirmed deaths from a video showing a suspect accusing children, identified as them, of "financing terrorism".The children's fate symbolises thousands missing during Assad's rule; efforts continue to find their remains and clarify other disappearances.AI generatedDAMASCUS -…
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