Suweida Civilians Recount ‘Bloodbath’ Amid Escalating Violence in Southern Syria

Residents of Suweida, a southern Syrian city, have described horrifying scenes of a ‘bloodbath’ over the past five days, as deadly sectarian clashes have erupted, leaving hundreds dead and civilians trapped in terror. Eyewitnesses recount ‘bodies everywhere’ and systematic violence, painting a grim picture of a city once known for its peace now engulfed in chaos.

The violence escalated following the abduction of a Druze merchant on Sunday, sparking long-running tensions between Druze and Bedouin tribes. The situation worsened when forces loyal to interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government, which took power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last December, were deployed earlier this week. These forces are now accused by residents and monitoring groups of directly targeting civilians and engaging in looting and arson.

Accounts from survivors detail government-affiliated gunmen going door-to-door, summarily executing civilians and desecrating religious symbols, such as the moustaches of Druze sheikhs. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports at least 594 fatalities since Sunday, including 154 Druze civilians, with 83 allegedly killed by government forces, and three Bedouin tribesmen killed by Druze fighters.

Amidst the escalating conflict, the Israeli military reportedly conducted air strikes, stating their intent was to protect the Druze community. Communication blackouts, including lack of internet and power, have further isolated residents, leaving them reliant on what they can see from their windows: burned buildings and slaughtered bodies.

Interim President Sharaa, in a televised address on Thursday, vowed accountability for the perpetrators and pledged to prioritize the protection of the Druze, blaming ‘outlaw groups’ for the atrocities. However, residents’ testimonies contradict this, pointing fingers at the very forces meant to restore order. The United Nations human rights office has also documented extrajudicial killings by government-affiliated armed men.

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