Thread by @fredabrahams

This natural wonder in #Syria, al-Hota gorge near Raqqa, became a gruesome site during the war. Our investigation out today on how ISIS and others disposed of their victims here. A chain of events and what’s needed now. 1/10
hrw.org/news/2020/05/0…

2/10 Some anti-government groups apparently dumped bodies of Syrian soldiers and pro-government militia fighters into al-Hota before ISIS controlled the area. hrw.org/news/2020/05/0…

3/10 When ISIS held the area 2013-15, it threatened people that they’d end up there. A video posted to FB showed them tossing victims into the gorge. Witnesses said they saw bodies on the edge.

4/10 When our researchers first visited, it wasn’t possible to check: the gorge is steep and the perimeter was littered with landmines and unexploded ordinance. We returned with a drone.

5/10 The #drone flew into the 50-meter-deep gorge and we saw six bodies floating in water at the bottom, clearly dumped there long after ISIS had left. Their identities and cause of death remain unknown.

6/10 Geological maps and a 3D topographic model from the drone imagery suggest that the gorge goes deeper than the drone was able to see, so more remains likely lie below.

7/10 The #Turkey-backed Syrian National Army controls the area around al-Hota. It should preserve the site, work to identify the missing, and help investigate their deaths.

8/10 ISIS left more than 20 mass graves across #Syria and 1000s of people are missing. Investigating what these graves hold is essential for the families of missing persons and for justice.

9/10 Thanks to @Parrot for donating #Parrotanafi drones and software to make this investigation possible. When used properly, respecting privacy, drones can greatly assist human rights investigations.
hrw.org/news/2017/12/1…

@Parrot 10/10 Tech tools offer no quick fix and must be used wisely. May they help bring some degree of comfort and justice to the families of those who suffered here. #Syria #GlobalShame
hrw.org/news/2020/05/0…

@Parrot Plus 1
سوريا: "داعش" ألقى جثثا في "الهوتة"

مقابر جماعية فيها آلاف الجثث، والتحقيقات لا بد منها

hrw.org/ar/news/2020/0…