Two detainees killed as Syrian regime storms Hama prison

Syrian regime forces stormed into Hama prison for the second time this week, killing at least two detainees and injuring dozens on Friday.

MENA

2 min read

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06 May, 2016

Assad forces stormed the prison for the second time in one week [File Photo: AFP]

At least two prisoners have been killed when Syrian regime forces stormed into the Hama prison on Friday, in what some describe as a "pending massacre".

Bashar al-Assad's forces inside the prison allegedly shot at prisoners, released smoke bombs and injured dozens.

Unverified videos shared on social media platforms depict fires breaking out inside the facility as gunshots echo in the background.

Regime security forces initially stormed the prison on Monday after detainees rebelled against prison guards and took control of the facility.

Detainees rebelled against prison authorities after the transfer of five political prisoners – who were held on death row – from the Hama jail to an "unknown location".

"The problem started on Sunday, when the prison authorities transferred five political prisoners to Sidnaya military prison in Damascus," Director of the Media Centre in Hama, Yazan Shadawi told ��.

The prison guards responded with force and there were reports of a fire at the jail.

"Regime forces threw tear gas among crowds of protesters which led to several cases of suffocated and the guards closed the doors," a source from the prison told ��.

He said that detainees feared a massacre would take place if regime re-established control over the prison.

Most detainees are also political prisoners with protests against the regime starting five years ago seeing a wave of arrests against activists and those suspected of opposing the regime.