The case of Ahmad al-Abdullah—a member of Syria’s new military, also known as Abu al-Meesh al-Sarawi— highlights the persistent lack of transparency in government-led accountability efforts. On 17 August, reports surfaced of his arrest over alleged involvement in serious violations during violent clashes in the coastal areas and, more recently, in Sweida. Yet his apparent return to social media shortly afterwards raised questions about his apparent release.
No official statement was issued to confirm or deny his release, nor was any explanation provided for it. In the absence of clear communication, speculation quickly filled the void—deepening public uncertainty and eroding trust in the transitional authorities’ ability to hold perpetrators accountable.
Interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa and his government have repeatedly pledged that justice will be upheld and that those who commit crimes will face consequences. But verbal assurances are not enough. Years under the Assad regime taught Syrians that talk is cheap. And the opacity that surrounds accountability efforts today only reinforces that scepticism.
Promises of justice—when not followed by concrete action—risk sounding hollow. The absence of transparency around what happens after arrests—including in high-profile cases like al-Abdullah’s—points to a deeper issue: the transitional authorities’ ongoing failure to establish credible and transparent mechanisms for accountability.
Crimes committed by security and military forces aligned with the transitional government are among the most pressing challenges in the post-Assad era. In a notable step, Syrian President Sharaa publicly acknowledged the occurrence of such violations and pledged to implement reforms and ensure accountability.
