Latest news with #Druze-Bedouin
First Post
a day ago
- Politics
- First Post
US: Trump Hosts Bahrain, Qatar Leaders as Syria, Gaza Crises Intensify Firstpost America
US: Trump Hosts Bahrain, Qatar Leaders as Syria, Gaza Crises Intensify | Firstpost America | N18G US: Trump Hosts Bahrain, Qatar Leaders as Syria, Gaza Crises Intensify | Firstpost America | N18G President Donald Trump held high-level meetings with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, as tensions rise across the Middle East. Bahrain pledged over $17 billion in US investments, including a major deal with Boeing and a new civil nuclear agreement. Trump's talks with the Qatari PM focused on Gaza ceasefire negotiations and regional security. These meetings come as Israeli airstrikes target Damascus and Druze-Bedouin clashes escalate in Syria's Sweida province. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced steps to help stabilise the region. Watch for more. See More
New York Post
22-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Oklahoma man among Druze family killed in execution-style shooting in Syria
A Syrian-American who was taking care of his ill father was among the eight Druze men kidnapped from their family home and executed in the middle of the street in Syria last week, harrowing video shows. Viral video of the Druze-Bedouin conflict shows the final moments of Hosam Saraya, a 35-year-old from Oklahoma who flew back to his homeland to take care of his sick father in Sweida, where Syria's Druze minority reside, CNN reported. Saraya and seven of his relatives were hauled out of their house at gunpoint and forced to march to the middle of Tishreen Square, where they were made to kneel before the armed men opened fire on them. 5 Hosam Saraya, a Syrian-American, was among the members of the Druze community killed in last week's violence with the Bedouin. Instagram/Hosam Saraya 5 Saraya and seven relatives were taken to a town square and forced on their knees before armed men executed them. X/visegrad24 The carnage occurred during a week of fighting across Sweida before a cease-fire deal with the country's new government was struck. Fighters for the new regime were also accused of assisting Bedouin gunmen in carrying out the sectarian violence against the Druze, with one of Saraya's relatives claiming that a man from the government was involved in the massacre against her family. 'One of them was wearing a General Security uniform … the black one,' she told CNN. ''They told us, 'We are the army of Ahmad Al-Jolani (the Syrian president).'' 'They threatened us, told us not to make a sound or we will kill you,' she added. 'They threatened us with rape … he told me if you speak I will come and kill you.' 5 Saraya, a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, posted photos of himself earning his US citizenship in 2023. Instagram/Hosam Saraya 5 The Bedouin and Druze engaged in days of fighting that resulted in Israel attacking Syrian military sites to protect the minority group. AFP via Getty Images The Syrian government has denied any involvement in the killings, reiterating that its forces were deployed to Sweida to establish peace between the two groups. A cease-fire was eventually struck on Friday after the Israeli military launched airstrikes in Syria, warning that it would not allow violence against the Druze to go on nor have Damascus' forces be deployed so close to the border. The State Department confirmed Monday that an American was killed in Sweida last week, with Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) later revealing that Saraya was the victim. 5 Bodies covered in sheets were placed on the ground in Syria as Sweida reels from last week's violence. AFP via Getty Images 'Hosam was an Oklahoman and member of the Druze community who was tragically executed alongside other members of his family in Syria. We are praying for his family, friends, and the entire community as they grieve this senseless loss,' the senator wrote on X. 'We offer condolences to the family on their loss and are providing consular assistance to them,' the State Department said in a statement. 'We are greatly concerned when any US citizen is harmed overseas, wherever they are. The United States calls for accountability in all cases where US citizens are harmed abroad.' Saray lived in Oklahoma for the last 10 years and earned his MBA at the Christian University, with the dual citizen opening up a virtual school in Syria, family members told local KOCO.
First Post
21-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Syria Violence: Dozens Dead as in Sectarian Clashes Between Druze-Bedouin Firstpost America
Syria Violence: Dozens Dead as in Sectarian Clashes Between Druze-Bedouin| Firstpost America | N18G Syria Violence: Dozens Dead as in Sectarian Clashes Between Druze-Bedouin| Firstpost America | N18G Deadly sectarian clashes have erupted in southern Syria's Sweida city, leaving at least 50 reportedly dead and over 100 injured, triggered by kidnappings between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes. The Syrian Interior Ministry cited 'accumulated tensions' and warned of collapsing security, while Defence Ministry units were deployed, closing the Damascus‑Sweida highway. Despite triggering civilian protection efforts, violence continued, allegedly killing six security personnel. Local leaders and Druze spiritual authorities have urged calm and appealed to Damascus for intervention. The Druze community—around 700,000 strong—has faced growing instability since last December's transition and conflicts in April and May. Watch to know more. See More
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Bloodthirsty...': Outraged Erdogan Tears Into Israel; Rejects Syria Partition Amid IDF Bombings
/ Jul 18, 2025, 05:29PM IST Turkish President Erdogan has lashed out at Israel, calling it a 'bloodthirsty terrorist state' and accusing it of using the Druze as a pretext to attack Syria. He warned that if Israel is not stopped, it could set the entire region and the world on fire. Erdogan reaffirmed Turkiye's commitment to Syria's territorial integrity. His remarks came after Turkiye and 10 Arab states issued a joint statement backing Syria's unity and condemning Israeli attacks amid ongoing Druze-Bedouin clashes and Israeli strikes on Damascus.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Syrian government forces set to re enter Sweida province after renewed Druze-Bedouin clashes
Syrian government forces set to reenter Sweida province after renewed Druze-Bedouin clashes (Image: AP) MAZRAA: Renewed clashes broke out overnight between Druze armed groups and members of Bedouin clans in southern Syria, and government forces were preparing to deploy again to the area Friday after pulling out under a ceasefire agreement that halted several days of violence earlier this week, officials said. Government security forces agreed with some of the Druze factions that they would re-enter the area to impose stability and protect state institutions, according to two Syrian officials who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Syrian government forces had largely pulled out of the Druze-majority southern province of Sweida after days of clashes with militias linked to the Druze religious minority that threatened to unravel the country's fragile post-war transition. The conflict drew airstrikes against Syrian forces by neighbouring Israel in defence of the Druze minority before most of the fighting was halted by a truce announced Wednesday that was mediated by the US, Turkey and Arab countries. Under that agreement, Druze factions and clerics would be left to maintain internal security in Sweida, Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Thursday. The clashes initially began between Druze militias and local Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes Sunday before government forces intervened, nominally to restore order, but ended up taking the Bedouins' side against the Druze. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo The fighting killed hundreds of people over four days, with allegations that government-affiliated fighters executed Druze civilians and looted and burned homes. Israel intervened, launching dozens of airstrikes on convoys of government fighters and striking the Syrian defence ministry headquarters in central Damascus in a major escalation of its involvement. The Druze form a substantial community in Israel, where they are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the Israeli military. After the ceasefire and withdrawal of government forces, clashes once again flared between the Druze and Bedouin groups in parts of Sweida province. State media reported Druze militias carried out revenge attacks against Bedouin communities, leading to a wave of displacement. The governor of neighbouring Daraa province said in a statement that more than 1,000 families had been displaced to the area from Sweida as a result of "attacks on Bedouin tribes by outlaw groups." Meanwhile, Bedouin groups arrived Friday from other areas of Syria to join the fight. On the outskirts of Sweida, groups of them gathered in front of buildings that had been set ablaze. An armed man who gave his name only as Abu Mariam ("father of Mariam") said he had come from the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor to "support the oppressed." "We will not return to our homes until we crush Al-Hijri and his ilk," he said, referring to a prominent Druze leader opposed to the government in Damascus, Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri. "We have nothing to do with civilians and innocent people as long as they stay in their homes." The Druze religious sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. While predominantly Druze, Sweida is also home to Bedouin tribes who are Sunni Muslim and have periodically clashed with the Druze over the years. The latest escalation began with members of a Bedouin tribe in Sweida setting up a checkpoint and attacking and robbing a Druze man, which triggered tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings. Ahmed Aba Zeid, a Syrian researcher who has studied armed groups in southern Syria, said there is "no specific reason" for the historic tensions between the groups. "All of Syria is full of social problems that have no reason," he said. In this case, however, "The state exploited the latest problem to try to change the situation in Sweida, and this only increased the scope of it," he said.
