Syrians mourn a former chess champion as her death is confirmed 13 years later
Rania al-Abbasi, a former chess champion, was mourned in Damascus after her death was confirmed 13 years after she went missing. Her family was reportedly killed by pro-government gunmen shortly after their detention in 2013. The case has drawn attention to the plight of many missing persons in Syria's ongoing civil war.
- ▪Hundreds gathered in Damascus to mourn Rania al-Abbasi and her family, who went missing 13 years ago.
- ▪Surviving relatives confirmed that the family was killed shortly after their detention by pro-government forces.
- ▪The fate of the al-Abbasi family was revealed following the arrest of an ex-intelligence officer involved in the killings.
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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsGood Morning AmericaShopGMAInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onSyrians mourn a former chess champion as her death is confirmed 13 years laterHundreds have gathered in Syria's capital to mourn former chess champion Rania al-Abbasi and her family, missing for 13 yearsByGHAITH ALSAYED Associated PressJune 3, 2026, 11:35 AM1:36DAMASCUS, Syria -- Hundreds of people flocked to a tent in Damascus on Wednesday to mourn a former national chess champion who went missing 13 years ago along with her husband and six children, after their deaths in Syria's civil wa r were finally confirmed.
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