In the once-quiet streets of a central Damascus neighborhood, the sudden exodus of notorious regime figures marks a significant shift in Syria's complex landscape.

Jamil Hassan, a feared man within Bashar al-Assad's inner circle, and other prominent figures like Hussam Luka and Khodr Taher Bin Ali, have abandoned their homes, leaving behind a trail of disrupted lives and uncertain futures.

Jamil Hassan, known locally as 'the butcher,' held the position of head of the Air Force Intelligence.

His oversight included the notorious Mezzeh Prison, a place synonymous with torture and brutality.

Wanted for war crimes and subject to international sanctions, Hassan's abrupt departure alongside his family signals a potentially significant turning point in Syria's turbulent conflict.

Residents described the scene as surreal.

Properties that once buzzed with activity and security detail now stand eerily silent, with only remnants of everyday life left behind.

The street where Hassan lived, once under a blanket of surveillance and military presence, now has its shutters closed and neighbors remaining cautious about speaking to outsiders.

Among those who bore witness to the departure, there is a mix of relief and trepidation.

Ali Bakri, a filmmaker living adjacent to Hassan, recalls the troubling presence of constant military watch and the fear induced by their omnipresence.

Other residents corroborate these sentiments, highlighting the once-impossible challenge of being vocal or critical.

The international call for justice is pressing.

Hassan and others like him face charges from countries including the United States, France, and Germany for heinous acts including conspiracy to commit war crimes.

Yet, their current whereabouts remain ambiguous, fueling fears they might evade accountability.

Rebels currently occupy these once-opulent homes, with the splendor of these properties now overshadowed by makeshift adjustments to meet immediate needs.

In some, domestic scenes are interspersed with propped guns and operational rebel activity.

The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression underscores the difficulty in locating men like Hassan.

They could be anywhere, aided by potential political deals or the protective haven offered by allied nations like Lebanon.

This mass departure extends beyond Damascus.

Other affluent regions have witnessed similar occurrences.

Ali Mamlouk, another senior figure closely aligned with Assad, is known for his involvement in severe human rights abuses.

His home remains sealed, contributing to the mystery surrounding these key figures' departures.

For many Syrians, the disappearance of these figures does not only symbolize an end but also evokes hope for justice.

However, bringing these individuals to account necessitates substantial international cooperation and a unified effort to dismantle the infrastructure that has long enabled them to operate with impunity.

The complex web surrounding Syria's power structure is unraveling now more than ever, and as it does, the calls for justice grow louder.

Whether Jamil Hassan and his counterparts will face the consequences of their actions remains a critical question, one that demands both local and global attention.

In the meantime, Damascus's remaining residents can only speculate about the paths these former regime stalwarts have taken.