Syria vows accountability after video of Sweida hospital killing
"We condemn and denounce this act in the strongest terms and affirm that the perpetrators will be held accountable and brought to justice... whatever their affiliation," the ministry said in a statement.
A week of bloodshed began on July 13 with clashes between local Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes, but the violence rapidly escalated as it drew in outside forces, eventually killing some 1,600 people, many of them Druze civilians, according to an updated toll by a war monitor.
Local media outlet Suwayda 24 and the Observatory published the video on Sunday, saying it was from hospital surveillance footage.
Forces in military garb are seen shooting dead a man whom Suwayda 24 identified as an engineer volunteering with the hospital team after a brief scuffle, as a group of people dressed as healthcare workers are crouched on the floor.
Another man seen in the video told AFP that the incident took place on July 16.
The Observatory called it a "shocking field execution" carried out by "members of the defence and interior ministries".
Rights activists called for accountability and an independent inquiry after the footage emerged, following other videos that circulated last month that also appeared to show government forces killing civilians.
The interior ministry said it appointed an official "to directly oversee the progress of the investigation in order to ensure the culprits are found and arrested as soon as possible".
Late last month, authorities announced the formation of a committee to investigate the Sweida violence, which should present its findings within three months.
Activists have instead called for an independent investigation to probe the violence.
Mohammad Al Abdallah, executive director of the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, said on Sunday that United Nations investigators "must enter Sweida immediately" and labelled the medic's killing a war crime.
Despite a ceasefire, the situation remains tense in Sweida and access to the province remains difficult.
Local residents accuse the government of imposing a blockade, something officials have denied, pointing to the entry of humanitarian convoys.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Jordan Times
14 hours ago
- Jordan Times
Amman hosts Washington, Damascus for talks on Syria's recovery, reconstruction
AMMAN — Jordan on Tuesday hosted a joint Jordanian-Syrian-American meeting to discuss the situation in Syria and ways to support the war-torn country's reconstruction efforts. A Foreign Ministry statement said that the trilateral meeting discussed ways to support Syria on foundations that safeguard its security, stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in its internal affairs, while meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people and protecting their rights. The meeting, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani and US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, along with representatives of relevant institutions from the three countries, followed up on talks hosted in Amman on July 19 to consolidate the ceasefire in Syria's southern Sweida Governorate and address the crisis there. Participants affirmed that Sweida, with all its local communities, is an integral part of Syria, with its people's rights safeguarded in building a new Syria that ensures security and representation for all citizens, the statement said. Dozens of people were reportedly killed in a week of armed clashes that began on July 13 between local Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes in the Druze-majority Sweida province. Jordan and the US welcomed steps taken by the Syrian government, including launching full investigations and holding perpetrators of crimes and violations in Sweida accountable, cooperating with relevant UN bodies in the investigation process, increasing humanitarian aid delivery to all areas of the governorate in coordination with UN agencies, restoring disrupted public services, beginning rehabilitation of affected areas, supporting the return of displaced persons, and initiating community reconciliation to promote civil peace. The two countries also welcomed international contributions to these efforts and reaffirmed their support for Syria's unity, sovereignty, and stability, the statement said. Safadi and Barrack reiterated Jordan and the US solidarity with Syria, calling on the international community to support the country's reconstruction on the basis of security, stability, and inclusivity. The three sides agreed to hold another meeting in the coming weeks to continue discussions and to respond to the Syrian government's request to form a tripartite working group, comprising Syria, Jordan, and the US, aimed at supporting the Syrian government's efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Sweida and resolve the crisis there.
Jordan Times
15 hours ago
- Jordan Times
Foreign minister, Syrian counterpart discuss cooperation, reconstruction efforts
AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi on Tuesday received Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Shibani ahead of the joint Jordanian-Syrian-American trilateral meeting to discuss the situation in Syria. During the meeting, Safadi and Shibani reiterated the deep, longstanding ties between Jordan and Syria, emphasising their commitment to further developing cooperation across various sectors, in accordance with the directives of their respective leaderships. The two ministers also reviewed efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Suwayda Governorate in southern Syria and discussed ways to resolve the ongoing crisis there, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement. Safadi reiterated Jordan's steadfast support for the Syrian government's reconstruction efforts, stressing that these must be based on principles that ensure Syria's unity, security, stability, sovereignty, the protection of its territory and citizens, and the preservation of the rights of all Syrians. He also stressed Jordan's position in supporting Syria's security, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its people, firmly rejecting any foreign interference in Syrian affairs. Safadi underscored that Syria's security is a cornerstone of regional stability and called on all parties to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministers jointly condemned the repeated Israeli attacks and airstrikes on Syria, describing them as flagrant violations of international law and aggression against Syrian sovereignty. They also stressed that such actions aim to undermine Syria's security and stability, threaten the safety of its citizens, jeopardise regional peace, and violate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel. Shibani expressed appreciation for Jordan's ongoing role and efforts in supporting Syria's reconstruction process, safeguarding its security and stability, upholding its sovereignty, and fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people.
Jordan Times
18 hours ago
- Jordan Times
King meets Syria FM, US special envoy for Syria
AMMAN —His Majesty King Abdullah held two separate meetings on Tuesday with Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani, and United States Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, to discuss the latest developments in Syria. During the meetings, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah, His Majesty reaffirmed Jordan's support for Syria's efforts to preserve its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, noting the importance of Washington's role in supporting the reconstruction process in Syria in a manner that preserves the rights of all Syrians, according to a Royal Court statement. The King highlighted Jordan's readiness to share its expertise in all fields to help develop and strengthen the capabilities of Syrian institutions. His Majesty also noted the need to step up Jordanian-Syrian cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and preventing arms and drug smuggling. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meetings. Shibani and Barrack were in Jordan to participate in a tripartite Jordanian-Syrian-American meeting held to follow up on talks hosted in Amman last month, and discuss the situation in Syria and ways to support the country's reconstruction.
