Suweida Battles Sectarian Violence, Over 590 Lives Lost

The southern Syrian city of Suweida is reeling from a devastating wave of sectarian violence and alleged government brutality that has claimed more than 590 lives over the past five days. The violence erupted last Sunday following the abduction of a Druze merchant near Damascus, igniting clashes between the Druze and Bedouin communities. Eyewitness accounts reveal scenes of horror and fear, as residents grapple with the aftermath of intense conflict.

Violence and Brutality Unfold

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 594 individuals have died, including 154 Druze civilians. The monitoring group alleges that government forces executed 83 Druze civilians, while Druze fighters retaliated by killing three Bedouin men. As tensions escalated, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa deployed security forces to restore order, but many residents accuse these forces of looting, burning homes, and targeting unarmed civilians.

Residents like Rima, a 45-year-old woman who spoke anonymously, described the chaos. “There were bodies everywhere outside our building,” she recounted in a phone interview. “Armed forces went door-to-door, targeting civilians and looting homes. We kept waiting for people to come into our house and decide whether we should live or die.”

Another resident, Nayef, a government employee, echoed her sentiments, stating, “They looted wealthy homes, killed people, and left bodies lying outside for days.” Videos circulating online corroborate these claims, showing armed men shooting kneeling civilians and humiliating Druze elders. The United Nations Human Rights Office confirmed that at least 13 individuals were killed during a family gathering, with reports of six men executed near their homes by individuals linked to the Syrian government.

Government Response and Local Sentiment

In a televised address, President Sharaa vowed to protect the Druze community and punish those responsible, attributing the violence to “outlaw groups.” Nonetheless, many locals remain skeptical. “It’s all lip-service,” Nayef remarked. “They speak of freedoms and accountability, but they are all lies.”

Public opinion is divided regarding Israel’s involvement in the conflict. Some residents credit Israeli airstrikes with preventing further massacres, while others express deep mistrust. “Nobody wants Israel. We are patriotic people,” Nayef emphasized, reflecting the complex feelings surrounding foreign intervention, even when it is framed as protective.

As power remains out and internet access is disrupted, the people of Suweida are left in a state of despair. The heavy death toll has not only shattered the community physically but has also fostered a growing sense of abandonment and betrayal among the residents.