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The moment of liberation: A CNN reporter’s extraordinary discovery in Syria
In a gripping turn of events, a CNN reporter stumbled upon a prisoner who had been locked away in one of the Assad regime’s secret facilities for three long months, completely unaware that the dictator’s rule had come to an end.
This remarkable discovery occurred while CNN’s Clarissa Ward was on a mission to find missing US journalist Austin Tice at a former Syrian Air Force intelligence headquarters in Damascus.
Unveiling the hidden truth
As Ward and her rebel fighter escorts searched the premises, they noticed a windowless cell that remained locked.
With a soldier’s help, they managed to break the lock and entered the dimly lit space. Initially, it appeared to be empty, save for a blanket in the corner. But then, a startling moment unfolded. “It moved!” Ward exclaimed, as an armed soldier pulled back the blanket to reveal a haggard man who sat up in fright, exclaiming, “I’m a civilian.” This man, later identified as Adil Hurbal, had been trapped in that cell, cut off from the world.
The emotional aftermath of captivity
Hurbal’s emotional state was palpable as he clutched Ward’s arm, visibly shaken and frightened. As she reassured him, he was handed a bottle of water, a small gesture that symbolized his newfound freedom.
The soldier accompanying them told him, “You are free,” to which Hurbal responded with disbelief, exclaiming, “My God, the light!” This moment marked his first encounter with sunlight after months of darkness.
As they sat him down, Hurbal expressed his anguish over not knowing the fate of his family.
“For three months, I didn’t know anything about my family. I didn’t hear anything about my children,” he lamented. His harrowing experience included being left without food or water for days, a testament to the brutality of his captors. When he was finally offered food, his body struggled to accept it, showcasing the physical toll of his imprisonment.
The shocking news of regime change
In a twist of fate, Hurbal received the astonishing news that Assad’s government had fallen. A soldier informed him that there was no longer a government army or prisons. Hurbal’s incredulity was evident as he asked, “Are you serious?” The soldier’s assurance that “Syria is free” brought a smile to Hurbal’s face, leading to an emotional embrace between the two. This moment encapsulated the profound impact of the regime change on individuals who had suffered under its oppressive rule.
Hurbal’s story is just one of many as tens of thousands of prisoners have been released from Syria’s notorious prison system amidst the chaos of the regime’s downfall. Ward, reflecting on her experience, stated, “In nearly twenty years as a journalist, this was one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed.” This powerful narrative not only highlights the resilience of the human spirit but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by those living under oppressive regimes.
