Sweida clashes: A historic rupture in Sunni-Druze relations in Lebanon and Syria
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Ya Libnan
an hour ago
- Ya Libnan
Sweida, Syria's Druze city is a wasteland of burning cars and looted homes after clashes
Large sections of the city of Sweida seemed to be on fire . There were multiple buildings, homes, flats, shops and businesses ravaged by flames. The Government forces which came to stop the fighting joined the Bedouins in their fight against the Druze , shot and killed hundreds of Druze civilians and burned their homes and cars The southwestern Syrian city of Sweida is a wasteland of burned cars and looted homes after violent clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin groups in mid-July left more than 1,000 dead. Bodies decomposing in the sweltering heat line the city's streets. FRANCE 24's Jenna Le Bras and Dana Alboz were the first journalists to enter the previously sealed-off city centre, where the atrocities were the most violent, to report on the aftermath of the conflict. Sweida- In the Syrian southwestern city of Sweida, violent clashes have erupted between Druze factions and Bedouin groups. More than 1,000 have been killed, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights and a further 145,000 have been displaced, said the International Organisation for Migration. Eyewitnesses have accused Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa's government troops of complicity and direct involvement in the massacres. Two weeks after the fighting began , FRANCE 24's journalists were the first to enter the previously sealed-off city centre, where the atrocities were the most violent. Humanitarian organisations have not yet been able to access this part of the city. The atrocities in Sweida are reminiscent of the coastal massacres that occurred in March , as Syria struggles to recover from 13 years of war . France 24
L'Orient-Le Jour
9 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Derian and Sunni religious leaders visit Joumblatt
BEIRUT — Former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), Walid Joumblatt, on Monday received the grand mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, who was accompanied by a delegation from Dar al-Fatwa at his home in Beirut's Clemenceau district. The head of the Lebanese Democratic Party, Talal Arslane, and other Sunni muftis from Lebanese regions were also present at the meeting, after which Sheikh Derian stated that it was "friendly and constructive" and that others would follow, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA.) This meeting between the Druze leader and the highest representative of Sunni Islam in Lebanon comes amid recent sectarian tensions that have led to clashes between Druze factions and Sunni Bedouin tribes, backed by forces of the Damascus government, which left more than 1,200 people dead in a week in the Sweida region of southern Syria. This latest episode of sectarian violence in the neighboring country had raised fears that these tensions could spill over into Lebanon. In a joint statement issued following their meeting, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to 'national and Islamic unity in the face of those who seek to harm Lebanon and sisterly Syria,' and rejected 'any attempt to sow discord.' They condemned the 'bloody clashes between Syrian brothers in the Sweida region,' calling them 'unacceptable and deplorable,' and expressed sorrow for 'the martyrs who fell during these painful events.' The signatories called on 'all Lebanese forces to work toward strengthening the state, its people, and its institutions, to unite in efforts to revive the state so that it can fully fulfill its unifying role, and to come together in confronting the Zionist aggression that targets Lebanon, Syria, and other Arab countries, in pursuit of its hostile goals and sectarian, ethnic, and confessional agendas, which serve only the enemies of our countries, societies, and Arab and Islamic nation.' They also praised the 'wise and patriotic positions of all Lebanese parties that have called for Syrian unity, the prevention of internal conflict, and the preservation of Syria's territorial integrity, with the same concern they express for Lebanon — its people, state, and institutions.' Finally, the statement emphasized the importance of 'Lebanon's sovereignty, freedom, Arab identity, and independence, as well as its cooperation with all fellow Arab nations and friendly states committed to Lebanon, its people, and its civilizational role in the region.'
L'Orient-Le Jour
14 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Damascus, Tel Aviv attempt de-escalation in Paris, no concrete agreement
Although no final agreement was reached, Thursday's meeting in Paris between Israeli and Syrian representatives was described as 'honest and responsible.' The representatives gathered to discuss a potential de-escalation of tensions in southern Syria — a zone recently plagued by deadly clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin tribes in high-level talks brought together Ron Dermer, Israeli minister for strategic affairs and a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Syria's Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani, mediated by U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom two sides had not engaged in such discussions for more than 25 years. The path forward After Sweida violence, Sharaa shaken but not defeated The goal of the summit was to reach a security agreement concerning southern Syria, in order to...
