Syrian authorities announced Friday that they have begun an investigation into a newly discovered mass grave in the town of Sednaya, believed to contain the remains of opposition fighters killed during the 2014 western Qalamoun battles against militias loyal to the now-deposed regime.

According to a statement issued by Syria's Interior Ministry and carried by the state-run SANA news agency, the ministry acted in coordination with the National Commission for Missing Persons (NCMP) after receiving reports about the suspected burial site.

Internal security forces swiftly established a security perimeter around the area to safeguard the site, prevent tampering, and preserve evidence until all legal procedures are completed.

The ministry said specialized teams had been deployed to document the scene and collect evidence as part of preparations for a comprehensive search and forensic investigation.

Officials stressed that the authorities remain committed to preserving the dignity of the victims while pursuing accountability for those responsible.

"The determination of the fate of the victims, the protection of their rights, and holding perpetrators accountable for these crimes remain a national and moral duty," the ministry said, extending its condolences to the families of those believed to have been killed.

Earlier in the day, the National Commission for Missing Persons revealed that it had conducted an initial field assessment in Sednaya following reports from local residents regarding suspected burial sites and mass graves. The commission said the visit aimed to determine the technical, logistical, and legal requirements necessary to handle the site in accordance with professional standards.

The discovery adds to a growing number of mass graves uncovered across Syria in recent months. Authorities have reported finding burial sites containing the remains of hundreds of victims allegedly killed as a result of the abuses and criminal practices carried out by the former regime and its allied militias during the years of the Syrian revolution.

Human rights advocates and families of the missing have long called for comprehensive investigations into enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings committed throughout the conflict. The latest discovery in Sednaya is expected to renew demands for truth, justice, and accountability for thousands of Syrians whose fate remains unknown more than a decade after the uprising began. (ILKHA)