On May 23, 2013 Mahfouz’s home was raided by the police and members of the Syrian Political Security Branch who searched the house and beat Mahfouz in front of his children, which resulted in a serious head wound. Mahfouz was subsequently arrested and disappeared. Approximately one and a half months later, Syrian authorities seized Mahfouz’s grocery shop.

Three months before Maqdah’s disappearance, he and his family fled from the city of Adra—located in the Eastern Ghouta region under siege by government forces—and found refuge in the Damascus neighbourhood of Al Zahera. Due to well-founded fear of persecution, they decided to then seek refugee status in Lebanon.

Ahmad Ajjan was living in the village of Yalda, which, at the time, was under the control of the Free Syrian Army and besieged by the Syrian Army. On October 20, 2013, the Syrian Army agreed to allow the evacuation of all the civilians not directly participating in hostilities.

Shakir Ajjan was living in the village of Yalda, which, at the time, was under the control of the Free Syrian Army and besieged by the Syrian Army. On January 5, 2014, the Syrian Army agreed to allow the evacuation of all the civilians not directly participating in hostilities. At the time, Shakir was a minor.

Nabil Ajjan was living in the village of Yalda, which, at the time, was under the control of the Free Syrian Army and besieged by the Syrian Army. On January 5, 2014, the Syrian Army agreed to allow the evacuation of all the civilians not directly participating in hostilities.

Mohammed Ajjan was living in the village of Yalda, which, at the time, was under the control of the Free Syrian Army and besieged by the Syrian Army. On January 5, 2014, the Syrian Army agreed to allow the evacuation of all the civilians not directly participating in hostilities.

Maher Ajjan was living in the village of Yalda, which, at the time, was under the control of the Free Syrian Army and besieged by the Syrian Army. On January 5, 2014, the Syrian Army agreed to allow the evacuation of all the civilians not directly participating in hostilities.

Nidal Ajjan was living in the village of Yalda, which, at the time, was under the control of the Free Syrian Army and besieged by the Syrian Army. On January 5, 2014, the Syrian Army agreed to allow the evacuation of all the civilians not directly participating in hostilities.

Mariam Ajjan was living in the village of Yalda, which, at the time, was under the control of the Free Syrian Army and besieged by the Syrian Army. On November 15, 2013, the Syrian Army agreed to allow the evacuation of all the civilians not directly participating in hostilities. At the time, Mariam was two months pregnant.

Hanan Ajjan was living in the village of Yalda, which, at the time, was under the control of the Free Syrian Army and besieged by the Syrian Army. On November 15, 2013, the Syrian Army agreed to allow the evacuation of all the civilians not directly participating in hostilities.