After nearly 14 years, Atef Najib, a notorious enforcer of Bashar al-Assad's regime, has been arrested for his role in the torture of schoolboys in Daraa city, an event that sparked Syria's civil war.
Atef Najib , a notorious enforcer of Bashar al-Assad's regime, has been arrested, marking a significant moment in Syria's pursuit of justice. Najib, a cousin of the former Syrian president, gained infamy for his brutal tactics, particularly his role in the torture of schoolboys in Daraa city, an event that is widely considered the spark that ignited Syria's devastating civil war .
In 2011, a group of 18 students from Al Arbaeen Primary School in Daraa painted graffiti on a wall, expressing their dissatisfaction with the regime. This seemingly innocuous act of defiance triggered a violent response from Najib, who headed the Political Security Branch in Daraa. He arrested the students, subjecting them to horrific torture that included nail pulling, beatings, and burnings. When their families pleaded for their release, Najib mocked them, stating, 'If you really want children, make more. If you don't know how we’ll send someone to show you.'This incident, which gained international attention, horrified the world and served as a rallying cry for the Syrian people. The protests that erupted in Daraa following the torture of the students quickly spread across the country, escalating into a full-blown civil war. Najib, who hailed from Jableh, a coastal city known as a stronghold of the Syrian Alawite elite, rose through the ranks of Syria's brutal security apparatus. His role was to enforce the regime's will through fear and violence. He was sanctioned by the US and the EU in 2011, but his capture in 2025 demonstrates that even those who operated in the shadows can be held accountable for their crimes. His arrest represents a significant step towards justice for the Syrian people who have suffered immensely during the country's prolonged conflict.
Syrie Atef Najib Bashar Al-Assad Daraa Civil War Torture Justice Arrest Political Security Branch
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