Boy with the hope of a nation: Shocking moment toddler is freed from brutal Syrian regime prison

8 December 2024, 23:57 | Updated: 9 December 2024, 07:54

A boy has captured the hope of a nation as he was freed from a brutal Syrian prison after rebels seized control of the nation from the Assad regime.
A boy has captured the hope of a nation as he was freed from a brutal Syrian prison after rebels seized control of the nation from the Assad regime. Picture: Alamy

By Chay Quinn

A boy has captured the hope of a nation as he was freed from a brutal Syrian prison after rebels seized control of the nation from the Assad regime.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A toddler was pictured walking out of his cell in Syria’s infamous Saydnaya military prison.

The lock-up was once described as "industrial torture chamber" of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

In the footage, the boy's confusion was met with cries from jubilant rebel fighters who had stormed the complex near the capital Damascus.

Read More: Assad flees to Moscow as rebels celebrate end of regime - as experts wonder what comes next for nation

Read More: King reveals 'anxiety' about carrying weight of the crown while talking to attendees from mother's anointing

The boy is one of thousands of prisoners freed by islamist rebels since their lightning offensive started on November 29.

Assad was granted political asylum by Vladimir Putin on Sunday after rebels closed in on him following a lightning quick end to the Syrian civil war.

The war began with the Arab spring and had fallen out of the headlines after Syrian and Russian forces had largely kept control.

A toddler was pictured walking out of his cell in Syria’s infamous Saydnaya military prison.
A toddler was pictured walking out of his cell in Syria’s infamous Saydnaya military prison. Picture: X

But rebels launched a surprise attack on Aleppo last week which quickly led to the fall of the regime on Sunday.

Russia has backed Assad throughout his rule - but had scald backed troop commitments in order to further its war in Ukraine prior to the regime's fall.

Russian state media said that Assad is in Moscow with his family - and earlier said that he had given the order for there to be a peaceful transition of power.

Russian state media outlet TASS said the Assad family have been given asylum in the Russian capital.

Rebels were pictured ransacking Assad's presidential palaces after he left the country.

Damascus erupted in celebrations following the fall of the Assad regime, as the Syrian leader fled the country on Sunday.

Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Valery Sharifulin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Valery Sharifulin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP). Picture: Alamy

Alistair Burt, a former Middle East minister under Theresa May, told LBC: "It's a new opportunity [for Syrians] to express their views.

It means the world to them. And you only have to look at social media to see what it means.

For those who have taken part in the fighting both over the years and recently, it might mean something differently as they seek now be in a position to exercise power.

"How will they exercise that?"

But conflict is still raging in the nation, as Israeli forces launched strikes on Syrian military targets overnight.

Israeli forces have also seized a UN-patrolled border zone in Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime on Sunday.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move was to prevent any new hostile power from being able to "establish itself on our border".

Mr Netanyahu also described the fall of the regime led by Bashar al-Assad as a "historic day" for the region.

His address came after Israeli fighter jets reportedly struck weapons and ammunition depots in Damascus and in the south of Syria.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

'I'd build a fourth runway at Heathrow,' says Michael Gove

'Build, baby, build': Michael Gove says he'd green light 'fourth runway at Heathrow,' as Reeves' plans divide Labour

Live
Axel Rudakubana to be sentenced for the murder of three girls in Southport knife rampage

LIVE: Axel Rudakubana to be sentenced for the murder of three girls in Southport knife rampage

Breaking
A rare red weather alert has been issued warning of danger to life

Rare red ‘danger to life’ weather alert issued ahead of Storm Éowyn

Police officers stand in lines to stop the at Whitehall in London.

Met Police out of special measures after boosting performance despite 'failing in almost every area' just 5 months ago

Kyle Clifford pled guilty to the murder of Carol Hunt and her two daughters.

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford ‘controlled and ridiculed’ girlfriend 'banning' her from staying out late and wearing make-up

Breaking News

Hunt for killer after woman in her 40s dies after 'serious assault' in Plymouth

Adele told the world Lock House was haunted.

Adele sabotaged sale of my £6million mansion by telling the world it is haunted, landlord fumes

Boy attacked by Axel Rudakubana with hockey stick 'targeted by thugs' blaming him for Southport attack

Boy attacked by Axel Rudakubana with hockey stick 'targeted by thugs' blaming him for Southport attack

Exclusive
A resident has told LBC of the horrific aftermath of the Southport attack perpetrated by Axel Rudakubana

'I looked him in the eye and said what have you done?': Horror aftermath of Southport rampage revealed

The service says it saw a huge jump in signups following the January 6 riot, which prompted Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to crack down on Trump and others who they said had incited violence. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

January 6 rioter arrested on gun charges less than 24 hours after Trump pardon

Ricky Gervais has paid tribute to his After Life character's dog

'A beautiful soul': Ricky Gervais heartbroken over death of After Life co-star

Migrants sit onboard an inflatable boat before attempting to illegally cross the English Channel to reach Britain

Up to 'one in 12' people living in London is is an illegal migrant

Trump Supporters Hold "Stop The Steal" Rally In DC Amid Ratification Of Presidential Election

Trump says January 6 attacks on police officers were 'very minor incidents' in first major interview since inauguration

British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves speaks during a press conference after the 11th China - UK Economic and Financial Dialogue in Beijing on January 11, 2025.

Rachel Reeves says mission for growth is a higher priority than Labour's net zero goals

NHS Royal Victoria Infirmary RVI Hospital and Accident Emergency entrance sign

Half of the population will end up in A&E unless NHS is reformed, warns England’s top doctor

"Instead of being met with empathy, those who fall behind on council tax face a system which is at best dated - and at worst, dangerous," the letter says.

Charities call for end to 'cruel and archaic' practice of jailing people who can’t pay council tax