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Memri
2 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
UPDATE – Systematic Atrocities Against The Druze In Swaida, Syria As Of Late July 2025 – WARNING: GRAPHIC
Silence is no longer an option. The Druze and other minorities ask only for the right to live in peace on their ancestral land. We urge you: HELP US SURVIVE! The following in an update of a report by the Druze Documentation Nexus, titled "Systematic Atrocities Against the Druze in Swaida, Syria July 2025," which MEMRI published on July 21, 2025.[1] The report, which was provided to MEMRI, documents the brutal campaign of sectarian violence with coordinated and organized attacks by Al-Joulani regime forces, terrorist militias, and Bedouin tribes targeting the Druze community in Swaida, located in Southern Syria. Executive Summary Framed Bedouin Problem On July 14, 2025, the City of Swaida witnessed a brutal campaign of sectarian violence targeting the Druze community. Initially framed as retaliatory operations by Bedouin groups and extremist elements, the events quickly escalated into a coordinated campaign of systematic genocide and atrocities. What seemed to begin as sporadic assaults evolved into a deliberate, preplanned and sustained onslaught involving state-aligned forces, local Bedouin, heavily-armed militias, and jihadist factions. Contrary to their official mandate, units from the General Security Force (ministry of interior) and Multiple Syrian Army Divisions operating under the Syrian Ministry of Defense, not only failed to protect the Swaida civilians but actively collaborated with Bedouin militias and extremist fighters. The result was a multi-day campaign characterized by targeted killings, acts of sexual violence, use of Turkish drones to bomb civilians, mass executions, looting, burning down houses, and widespread desecration of cultural and religious sites. Role Of State And Non-State Actors The Syrian Ministry of Defense Army divisions, and the General Security Force, are directly implicated in facilitating, endorsing, and participating in the violence, massacres and destruction. Despite official state media narratives portraying the conflict as Druze-Bedouins conflict and portraying government efforts to restore order, independent documentation and footage confirm active participation of Government authorities in the atrocities and ethnic cleansing. Non-state actors, including Bedouin militias and jihadist groups from Homs, Idlib and other Syrian governorates operated with impunity. Government Logistical support, public endorsement, and ideological alignment between these groups and State Apparatuses indicate a shared strategic and organized planning in targeting the Druze and Christian community in Swaida. Alawites Massacre, Christians Massacres, Swaida Massacre! Terrorists In Different Clothes Are Still The Same Terrorists! Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaeda's branch in Syria), Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham, Al-Nusrah Front, Victory Front, Front For The Conquest Of The Levant, The Support Front For The People Of Syria are all aliases of one terrorist group, listed Globally as Foreign Terrorist organizations by: The U.S. State Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as an FTO and an SDN; the United Nations UNSC ISIL & Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1267 / 1989 / 2253); the European Union under Council Common Position 2001/931 and Regulation 881/2002, following UNSC mandates; the United Kingdom's Terrorism Act 2000; Canada's Listed Terrorist Entities and Anti-Terrorism Act; Australia's national terrorist organization lists maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). In the above listed sanctioning countries, all residents who support this terrorist government and/or its actions are actually SUPPORTERS OF TERRORISM and should be held accountable for any hate speech, relevant social media posts, or in-person demonstrations. Ahmed Al-Sharaa – Abu Mohammad Al-Joulani (TERRORIST) Al-Joulani, who appointed himself president of Syria, is a TERRORIST, who also killed American soldiers in Iraq. He was an Al-Qaida and ISIS terrorist, founder/emir of Al-Nusra Front; leader of HTS. These are all terrorist groups on the U.S. and international terror lists. In December 2024, the United States removed the $10 million bounty that had been on Al-Joulani. Murhaf Abu Qasra – Abu Hassan Al-Hamawi (TERRORIST) -Minister of Defense in Syria, appointed by Al-Joulani. -Ex-terrorist commander in Al-Nusra Front, and later in HTS. Anas Hasan Khattab – Abu Ahmad Hudoud (TERRORIST) -Minister of Interior in Syria, appointed by Al-Joulani. -Former intelligence chief of HTS whom the U.S. designated as a terrorist in 2012, with the UN doing the same in 2014. Asaad Al-Shaibani (TERRORIST) -Foreign Minister in Syria, appointed by Al-Joulani. -Former HTS-affiliated faction member; HTS holds sway over his position according to multiple sources. Ahmed Al‑Dalati – Abu Muhammad Al‑Shami (TERRORIST) -Governor of Quneitra / Security Chief, appointed by Al-Joulani. -Former deputy commander of Ahrar al‑Sham. -Field Commander of the Genocide Operation against Druze and the ONGOING war crime siege on Swaida. Abdul Samrez Jashari – Abu Qatada Al-Albani (TERRORIST) -Colonel in New Syrian Army, appointed by Al-Joulani. -Former emir of Xhemati Alban (jihadist Balkan group linked to HTS) Shadi Al-Waisi (TERRORIST) -Minister of Justice from December 2024 to March 2025, appointed by Al-Joulani. -Sharia judge for Jabhat Al-Nusra; oversaw executions in Idlib. Mazhar Al-Wais (TERRORIST) -Minister of Justice since March 2025 appointed by Al-Joulani. -Senior jurist and Shura Council member in HTS Systematic Atrocities Against Druze First Barbaric Genocidal Wave – April-May 2025 Organized and coordinated attacks by Al-Joulani regime forces and terrorist militias against Jaramana City, Ashrafiyet Sahnaya, Sahnaya and Swaida outskirts resulted in hundreds of victims between killed, wounded and arrested. Second Barbaric Genocidal Ethnic Cleansing Wave – From July 14, 2025 Coordinated and organized attacks by Al-Joulani regime forces, terrorist militias and Bedouin Tribes attacked Swaida from different sides. Imams called from their mosques for jihad all over Syria. Violence intensified. Government forces officially entered the region under the pretense of restoring order but instead escalated the massacre and supported the non-state actors in brutality and ethnic cleansing, resulting, as of July 30, 2025, in 1,017 killed and hundreds others wounded and abducted. Tens of thousands were displaced from their homes. Nature Of Atrocities Committed -Extrajudicial Killings: Civilians, including entire families attempting to flee, were executed. Alawite refugees, previously displaced from coastal violence, were among the victims. -Sexual Violence: Many credible reports emerged of women and girls being raped and abducted. More than 80 women and girls are still abducted. -Targeted Humiliation and Torture: Elderly Druze men were subjected to public humiliation, including being forced to imitate animals, having their facial hair forcibly removed, and enduring torture before being executed. -Medical Blockades: Hospitals were sealed off and shelled and medical equipment was looted. Medical personnel killed or trapped, with no access to evacuation or external aid. Several wounded civilians were denied treatment and were left to die and many wounded patients were executed in the hospital. -Desecration of the Dead: Bodies of the deceased were mutilated and mocked post-mortem. Video evidence shows government-aligned forces partaking in these acts. -Religious and Cultural Destruction: Homes, shops, Druze shrines, and churches were systematically looted, vandalized and/or burned down. Sacred objects were defiled or destroyed in acts of sectarian symbolism. Intent And Pattern The violence in Swaida bears clear markers of systematic sectarian persecution. The intent was not merely territorial control or conflict containment but the dehumanization, terrorization, and eradication of a minority community. The pattern in alignment with earlier atrocities along the Syrian coast and Christians in multiple locations across Syria proves a recurring campaign of sectarian cleansing masked by counter-insurgency rhetoric. Conclusion And Recommendations This ongoing event in Swaida that started on July 14 represents a grave breach of international humanitarian law and human rights standards. They demand immediate international scrutiny, independent investigation, and accountability for those responsible, including state actors. Recommendations -An urgent UN-mandated inquiry should be established to investigate crimes against humanity in Swaida. -Immediate humanitarian access must be granted to the region to assess and respond to the needs of surviving victims. -Sanctions and legal proceedings should target individuals and institutions within the Al-Joulani government complicit in the violence. -The international community must prioritize protection mechanisms for vulnerable minority populations in Syria to prevent recurrence. -Observers, to prevent further atrocities and monitor the situation on the ground. -A clear and public condemnation of these crimes by the U.S. Congress and the State Department and serious pressure on the Syrian government and its affiliates to cease attacks on civilians. Report By The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented on July 26, 2025: 928 people killed during July, including 250 cases of field executions. So far, we received confirmed name lists of 372 killed, at least 120 abducted, 85 of whom are women, and thousands wounded. Al-Radwan Guesthouse Massacre Location: Central Swaida city. Date: July 15th, 2025 Toll: 13 martyrs and three injured in intensive care. Incident Report Summary: A military unit, including individuals in official military uniforms, forcibly entered the Al-Radwan Guesthouse and indiscriminately opened fire on all those present. All victims were unarmed civilians. A video recording from the scene shows the bodies of the victims inside the guesthouse, providing visual evidence of the attack.[2] 2. Al-Qardab Crime near Al-Basha Roundabout: Location: Al-Basha Roundabout, Swaida city. Toll: 6 martyrs, including 3 siblings and 3 relatives. Details: A security patrol carried out a field execution of six civilians in front of their home, in the presence of the mother of the three siblings. The victims, aged between 25 and 30, included two engineers and university students. 3. The Killing Of Innocent Children The secret forces showed no mercy – not even to children. Many young lives were taken in cold blood. These are just a few of the innocent victims: Yaman Maen Maklad – only 11 years old. Zaid Dalal – 14 years old. He was shot in the head during the events in Swaida City. Genna Helal – a 14-year-old girl killed by secret forces. Odai and Qusai Abou Ammar – brothers aged 13 and 17. Their lives were tragically cut short. These names are not just statistics – they were children with dreams, families, and futures that were stolen from them. 4. Al-Qantar And Al-Qassem Crime Location: In front of the victims' home, Swaida. Toll: Three civilian martyrs. Details: Three civilians from the Al-Qantar and Al-Qassem families were subjected to a field execution in front of their home. Depicted below is a shocking image documenting the bodies of the victims alongside two female relatives. 5. Killing Of Medical Doctors And Staff -Dr. Faten Hussein Hilal was shot in the head while heading to Swaida National Hospital to perform her humanitarian duties, resulting in her martyrdom. -Dr. Talaat Amer was killed on duty in the National Swaida Hospital. Dr. Lujain Alarbeed posted on her Facebook: "I am Dr. Lujain Al- Arbeed. We are trapped in the emergency department, me and the medical staff. We are being shot at from inside the hospital. If you can help us, please do. And if not, forgive us, we were supporting you until the last moment." 6. The Execution Of A U.S. citizen, Hosam Saraya More than 100 U.S. citizens, green card holders and their first-degree relatives are reported missing/situation unknown/caught in crossfire in Swaida. Hosam Saraya, a U.S. citizen and resident of Oklahoma, was gunned down along with his father, uncles, and cousins – every adult male in the household – all members of the Druze minority, during a raid by Al-Joulani regime forces on their family home in Tishreen City Square. Hosam was in Swaida on an extended visit to care for his family. He was planning to return to the U.S. but was trapped when Al-Joulani regime forces closed the roads into and out of the city. His family in the U.S. had already reached out to the U.S. Embassy and the State Department, who responded quickly – but tragically, it was too late. Hosam was murdered just hours later. 7. The Execution Of A French Citizen, Firas Abu Latif Druze Syrian‑French professor and data‑mining researcher at the University of Rouen Dr. Firas Abu Latif had traveled from France to Swaida in mid‑July 2025 to visit family. Al-Joulani terrorist militias stormed every house they came across and among them was the home of Dr. Abu Latif. They burned his family's home. Firas was killed inside the house and his body burned. His sister confirmed that he died in the barbaric ethnic cleansing wave Swaida has suffered in July. 8. Destruction On Religious Sites, Symbols And Personnel a) St. Michael Church in the village of Soura Al-Kabeera, rural Swaida, was set on fire following the takeover of the village by General Security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Defense.[3] b) Al-Joulani General Security Forces destroyed Druze religious sites and symbols. 9. Executing An Entire Christian Family Al-Joulani terrorist groups deliberately targeted and executed Pastor Khaled Mazhar, the shepherd and leader of the Good Shepherd Evangelical Church, along with his entire family, including his siblings, their children, his father, and mother – totaling 20 individuals. Sectarian Abuse Media pages affiliated with the authority members have circulated footage showing members of Al-Joulani General Security and Army forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense humiliating key religious symbols and civilians by forcibly shaving mustaches (a sacred symbol of dignity and heritage) have been circulating through biased media pages.[4] Jihadi Incitement Civilian buses were spotted in areas under the control of the de facto government, bearing banners that read: "Dedicated to transporting Terrorists Mujahideen fighters to Swaida for free." Abducted Civilians – Women Nearly 700 civilians were reported abducted. We have so far been able to verify 570 names, including 130 women and children. Due to the time required for thorough processing and archiving of information, we published this initial incomplete list. Additional confirmed names will be published in our next update. Deliberate Cutoff Of Essential Services In Swaida The Druze community in Swaida have been deliberately subjected to harsh and inhumane conditions as part of a broader campaign of collective punishment. Authorities have systematically cut off electricity, water, and Internet services decommissioning all hospitals in Swaida, in addition to cutting off food supplies to the region, aiming to starve the local population to death a tool of ethnic cleansing. Other Tragic News -Hundreds of bodies belonging to members of the Druze community remain scattered in the streets of Swaida, a grim reminder of the brutality inflicted upon the city. -Many videos from Swaida reveal extensive looting and destruction carried out by Al-Joulani General Security forces and his terrorist Militias across homes, shops, and public property. -A three-month-old Druze infant was killed by Al-Joulani General Security forces during Swaida massacres. -Foreign fighters were operating alongside Al-Joulani regime security forces. -Druze in Idlib and Damascus are being actively targeted with incitement and hate speech. -Several Druze students were physically assaulted inside the university of Aleppo/University of Homs/The University of Damascus. The assaults escalated to live gunfire. We Are Urgently Calling For: 1. Recognition Of The Humanitarian Emergency In Swaida And Its Impact On Civilians 2. Support For Urgent Relief Coordination And Aid Delivery To Affected Communities 3. Assistance In Securing Safe Evacuation Routes For U.S. Nationals And European Nationals Currently Trapped In Swaida 4. Ongoing Monitoring And Communication With Agencies Positioned To Assist With Crisis Response. 5. Advocacy For The Establishment Of A Humanitarian Border Crossing At Khirbet Awad With Jordan – We request that the U.S. put diplomatic pressure on Jordan and other international partners to authorize a humanitarian crossing at Khirbet Awad for emergency aid and civilian evacuation under UN or Red Cross supervision. 6. Emergency Humanitarian Airlift And Aid Corridors – We request U.S. logistical support in coordinating humanitarian airlifts (food, medical supplies) into nearby Jordanian hubs, then through approved crossings. 7. Deployment of Neutral Monitors And Relief Agencies – We request the State Department to work with the UN, the Red Cross, and NGOs to place neutral monitors in Swaida to oversee aid distribution and document atrocities. 8. We request priority evacuation mechanisms for the over 100 Druze U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and their immediate families who are at risk in Swaida, in addition to a similar number of Druze families of European nationals stuck in Swaida. This would include support for the creation of a State Department-led evacuation list for U.S. citizens, LPRs, and their immediate families, ensuring they are prioritized for departure via Jordan. 9. Expansion of Humanitarian Parole and Refugee Processing – We request the expansion by DHS and USCIS of "humanitarian parole" for Druze minorities fleeing atrocities, similar to the Ukrainian or Afghan programs, to reunite families with their U.S. relatives. 10. Targeted Sanctions And Accountability Measures – We request that lawmakers pass the amended Syria Caesar Sanctions in the House of Representatives and the Senate. 11. Funding for Emergency Medical Teams And Mobile Clinics – We request Congressional allocations for NGOs running mobile medical units and trauma support for survivors inside Swaida. 12. Compensation – In addition to immediately fixing damage to public infrastructure, the Syrian government should pay compensation to the families of those who have been killed and wounded, and for homes and other private property that has been destroyed, burned, looted, or vandalized. Online Resources With Evidence About The Druze Massacres And Swaida -Druze spirit (X) -Druze spirit (Instagram) -Druze spirit (Facebook) -Sweida Massacre (website) -Sweida Massacre (Telegram) -Syr Doc (Telegram) -Al-Mishkat (Facebook)
Memri
4 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Druze Documentation Nexus Releases Initial Estimates Following Massacre Of Druze In Swaida: 228,100 People Displaced From Over 40 Cities And Villages
The following is a report compiled by the Druze Documentation Nexus. It is an initial estimate of the numbers people displaced after the massacre of Druze in the Swaida Governorate, in Southern Syria.[1] On July 14, 2025, the City of Swaida witnessed a brutal campaign of sectarian violence targeting the Druze community. Initially framed as retaliatory operations by Bedouin groups and extremist elements, the events quickly escalated into a coordinated campaign of systematic atrocities. What began as sporadic assaults evolved into a deliberate and sustained onslaught involving state-aligned forces, local militias, and jihadist factions. Contrary to their official mandate, units from the General Security Force of the Interior Ministry and Multiple Syrian Army Divisions operating under the Syrian Defense Ministry not only failed to protect civilians in Swaida but actively collaborated with Bedouin militias and extremist fighters. The result was a multi-day campaign characterized by targeted killings, acts of sexual violence, use of Turkish drones to bomb civilians, mass executions, looting, burning down houses, and widespread desecration of cultural and religious sites. It is worth noting that the Druze Documentation Nexus reported that the preliminary number of deaths caused by the massacre is 1,500, according to official records from the National Hospital of Swaida. The figure is expected to rise due to the presence of corpses not yet recovered in homes and on roads across 31 villages that remain under the control of security forces and Bedouin militias. Massacre in Swaida (Source: Druze Documentation Nexus) Below are estimated statistics of internally displaced persons (IDPs) after the massacre of Swaida, which amount to 228,100 IDPs: 1. City of Swaida Pre-Massacre Population: 125,000 Post-Massacre Population: 50,000 Situation: Infrastructure destroyed, markets stormed, shops looted, homes burned, civilians killed, public executions, women and children kidnapped, elderly abused/shaved, hospitals attacked, services unavailable, security/food threatened, most residents fled east/south. 2. Village of Walga Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 3. Village of Reema Hazem Pre-Massacre Population: 3,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 4. Village of Al-Mazraa Pre-Massacre Population: 10,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 5. Village of Al-Tayr Pre-Massacre Population: 1,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 6. Village of Sama Al-Hunaidat Pre-Massacre Population: 1,800 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 7. Village of Samma Pre-Massacre Population: 2,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 8. Village of Al-Dour Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 9. Village of Taara Pre-Massacre Population: 2,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 10. Village of Qarrasa Pre-Massacre Population: 1,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 11. Village of Al-Duwairi Pre-Massacre Population: 2,100 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 12. Village of Najran Pre-Massacre Population: 8,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 13. Samma Al-Hunaidat Pre-Massacre Population: 1,800 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 14. Town of Thaala Pre-Massacre Population: 10,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 15. Village of Al-Dara Pre-Massacre Population: 1,950 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Churches burned and vandalized. 16. Village of Al-Aslehah Pre-Massacre Population: 1,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Churches burned and vandalized. 17. Village of Kanaker Pre-Massacre Population: 1,100 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 18. Village of Ara Pre-Massacre Population: 11,000 Post-Massacre Population: 6,000 Situation: Mortar/missile shelling, under assessment. 19. Village of Al-Mujaymir Pre-Massacre Population: 5,000 Post-Massacre Population: 2,000 Situation: Mortar/missile shelling, under assessment. 20. Village of Al-Majdal Pre-Massacre Population: 6,500 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 21. Village of Kafr Al-Lahf Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 22. Village of Reema Al-Fakhour Pre-Massacre Population: Unknown Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 23. Village of Salakhed Pre-Massacre Population: 2,500 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 24. Majadel, Smayd, Al-Kharsa Pre-Massacre Population: 20,000 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 25. City of Shahba Pre-Massacre Population: 20,000 Post-Massacre Population: Unknown Situation: Mortar/missile shelling, homes/property destroyed, militant presence, declared devastated. 26. Village of Umm Al-Zeitoun Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: 1,000 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 27. Village of Al-Sweimrah Pre-Massacre Population: 1,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 28. Village of Al-Metouneh Pre-Massacre Population: 3,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 29. Village of Al-Hayyat Pre-Massacre Population: 2,800 Post-Massacre Population: 1,800 Situation: Partial displacement. The gas station, village entrances and public facilities were vandalized. Currently it's not with HTS. 30. Village of Al-Heett Pre-Massacre Population: 2,450 Post-Massacre Population: 1,200 Situation: Partial displacement, most of the population is Christian. Currently it is not under HTS control. 31. Village of Al-Khalidiyah Pre-Massacre Population: 3,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 32. Village of Lahtha Pre-Massacre Population: 8,900 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 33. Village of Radhimah Al-Liwaa Pre-Massacre Population: 3,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 34. Village of Al-Soura Al-Kabir Pre-Massacre Population: 2,800 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 35. Village of Hazm Pre-Massacre Population: 1,700 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 36. Village of Khalkhala Pre-Massacre Population: 2,700 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 37. Village of Dhakir Pre-Massacre Population: 1,200 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 38. Village of Al-Soura Al-Sagheer Pre-Massacre Population: 1,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 39. Town of Areeqa Pre-Massacre Population: 9,000 Post-Massacre Population: 5,000 Situation: Mortar/missile shelling, under assessment. 40. Village of Dama Pre-Massacre Population: 4,000 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 41. Village of Lebbain Pre-Massacre Population: 3,500 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. 42. Village of Haraan Pre-Massacre Population: 2,800 Post-Massacre Population: 0 Situation: Homes burned, public executions, kidnappings, places of worship/shrines burned, declared devastated. Total Pre-Massacre Population: 295,100 Total Post-Massacre Population: 67,000 Total Number Of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): 228,100
Memri
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Systematic Atrocities Against The Druze In Swaida, Syria July 2025 – WARNING: GRAPHIC
On July 20, 2025, the Druze Documentation Nexus published the following report, titled "Systematic Atrocities Against the Druze in Swaida, Syria July 2025." The report, which was provided to MEMRI, documents the brutal campaign of sectarian violence with coordinated and organized attacks by Al-Joulani regime forces, terrorist militias, and Bedouin tribes targeting the Druze community in Swaida, located in Southern Syria. Following are the text and images of the report: Silence is no longer an option. The Druze and other minorities ask only for the right to live in peace on their ancestral land. We urge you: HELP US SURVIVE! Executive Summary On July 14, 2025, the City of Swaida witnessed a brutal campaign of sectarian violence targeting the Druze community. Initially framed as retaliatory operations by Bedouin groups and extremist elements, the events quickly escalated into a coordinated campaign of systematic atrocities. What began as sporadic assaults evolved into a deliberate and sustained onslaught involving state-aligned forces, local militias, and jihadist factions. Contrary to their official mandate, units from the General Security Force of the Interior Ministry and Multiple Syrian Army Divisions operating under the Syrian Defense Ministry, not only failed to protect the Swaida civilians but actively collaborated with Bedouin militias and extremist fighters. The result was a multi-day campaign characterized by targeted killings, acts of sexual violence, use of Turkish drones to bomb civilians, mass executions, looting, burning down houses, and widespread desecration of cultural and religious sites. Coordinated And Organized Attacks By Al-Joulani Regime Forces, Terrorist Militias, And Bedouin Tribes Organized and coordinated attacks by Al-Joulani regime forces and terrorist militias against Jaramana City, Ashrafiyet Sahnaya, Sahnaya and Swaida Outskirts resulted in hundreds of victims between killed, wounded and arrested. Coordinated and organized attacks by Al-Joulani regime forces, terrorist militias and Bedouin Tribes attacked Swaida from different sides. Imams in their mosques called for jihad all over Syria. The violence intensified. Government forces officially entered the region under the pretense of restoring order but instead escalated the massacre and supported the non-state actors in brutality and Ethnic Cleansing, resulted to date in 1,017 killed and hundreds others wounded and abducted. Tens of thousands were displaced from their homes. Nature Of Atrocities Committed Extrajudicial Killings: Civilians, including entire families attempting to flee, were executed. Alawite refugees, previously displaced from coastal violence, were among the victims. Sexual Violence: Numerous credible reports emerged of women and girls being raped and abducted. More than 80 women and girls are still abducted. Targeted Humiliation and Torture: Elderly Druze men were subjected to public humiliation, including being forced to imitate animals, having their facial hair forcibly removed, and enduring torture before being executed. Medical Blockades: Hospitals were sealed off, shelled, medical equipment looted. Medical personnel Killed or Trapped, with no access to evacuation or external aid. Several wounded civilians were denied treatment and were left to die and many wounded patients were executed in the hospital. Desecration of the Dead: Bodies of the deceased were mutilated and mocked post-mortem. Video evidence shows government-aligned forces partaking in these acts. Religious and Cultural Destruction: Homes, shops, Druze shrines, and churches were systematically looted, vandalized and/or burned down. Sacred objects were defiled or destroyed in acts of sectarian symbolism. Role Of State And Non-State Actors The Syrian Ministry of Defense Army divisions and the General Security Force are directly implicated in facilitating, endorsing, and participating in the violence, massacres and destruction. Despite official state media narratives portraying the conflict as a Druze-Bedouin conflict and portraying government efforts to restore order, independent documentation and footage confirm active participation of Government authorities in the atrocities and ethnic cleansing. Non-state actors, including Bedouin militias and jihadist groups from Homs, Idlib, and other Syrian governorates operated with impunity. Government logistical support, public endorsement, and ideological alignment between these groups and state apparatuses indicate a shared strategic and organized planning in targeting the Druze and Christian community in Swaida. Intent And Pattern The violence in Swaida bears clear markers of systematic, sectarian persecution. The intent was not merely territorial control or conflict containment but the dehumanization, terrorization, and eradication of a minority community. The pattern in alignment with earlier atrocities along the Syrian coast and Christians in multiple locations across Syria proves a recurring campaign of sectarian cleansing masked by counter-insurgency rhetoric. Conclusion And Recommendations This ongoing event in Swaida that started on July 14 represents a grave breach of international humanitarian law and human rights standards. They demand immediate international scrutiny, independent investigation, and accountability for those responsible, including state actors. Recommendations - An urgent UN-mandated inquiry should be established to investigate crimes against humanity in Swaida. - Immediate humanitarian access must be granted to the region to assess and respond to the needs of surviving victims. -Sanctions and legal proceedings should target individuals and institutions within the Al-Joulani government complicit in the violence. -The international community must prioritize protection mechanisms for vulnerable minority populations in Syria to prevent recurrence. List of Victims There are more than 1,017 Druze and Christian victims in Swaida. Below is a list of more than 245 Druze and Christian victims. There remain several hundred bodies in the hospital yet to be identified and documented. Al-Radwan Guesthouse Massacre: Location: Central Swaida city. Date: July 15, 2025 Toll: 13 martyrs and 3 injured in intensive care. Incident Report Summary: A military unit, including individuals in official military uniforms, forcibly entered the Al-Radwan Guesthouse and indiscriminately opened fire on all those present. All victims were unarmed civilians. A video recording from the scene shows the bodies of the victims inside the guesthouse, providing visual evidence of the attack. Al-Qardab Crime Near Al-Basha Roundabout: Location: Al-Basha Roundabout, Swaida city. Toll: six martyrs, including three siblings and three relatives. Details: A security patrol carried out a field execution of six civilians in front of their home, in the presence of the mother of the three siblings. The victims, aged between 25 and 30, included two engineers and university students. The Killing Of Innocent Children The secret forces showed no mercy – not even to children. Many young lives were taken in cold blood. These are just a few of the innocent victims: -Yaman Maen Maklad – only 11 years old. - Zaid Dalal – 14 years old. He was shot in the head during the events in Sweida City. -Genna Helal – a 14-year-old girl killed by secret forces. -Odai and Qusai Abou Ammar – brothers aged 13 and 17. Their lives were tragically cut short. These names are not just statistics – they were children with dreams, families, and futures that were stolen from them. Al-Qantar And Al-Qassem Crime Location: In front of the victims' home, Swaida. Toll: three civilian martyrs. Details: Three civilians from the Al-Qantar and Al-Qassem families were subjected to a field execution in front of their home. Depicted below is a shocking image documenting the bodies of the victims alongside two female relatives. Killing Of Medical Doctors And Staff Dr. Faten Hussein Hilal was shot in the head while heading to Swaida National Hospital to perform her humanitarian duties, resulting in her martyrdom. Dr. Talaat Amer was killed on duty in the National Swaida Hospital. Emergency Department Dr. Lujain Alarbeed posted on her Facebook: "I am Dr. Lujain Al- Arbeed. We are trapped in the emergency department, me and the medical staff. We are being shot at from inside the hospital. If you can help us, please do. And if not, forgive us, we were supporting you until the last moment." The Execution Of U.S. Citizen Hosam Saraya More than 100 US Citizens, Green Card Holders, and their first-degree relatives have reported missing, caught in a crossfire in Swaida, or their situation is unknown. Hosam Saraya, a U.S. citizen and resident of Oklahoma, was gunned down along with his father, uncles, and cousins – every adult male in the household – all members of the Druze minority, during a raid by Al-Joulani regime forces on their family home in Tishreen City Square. Hosam was in Sweida, Syria on an extended visit to care for his family. He was planning to return to the U.S. but was trapped when Al-Joulani regime forces closed the roads into and out of the city. His family in the U.S. had already reached out to the U.S. Embassy and the State Department, who responded quickly – but tragically, it was too late. Hosam was murdered just hours later. Destruction Of Religious Sites And Symbols St. Michael Church in the village of Soura Al-Kabeera, rural Swaida, was set on fire following the takeover of the village by General Security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Defense.[1] Druze religious places and symbols were destroyed by members of the Al-Joulani General Security Forces. Genocide In Swaida Between July 14-19, 2025 Sectarian Abuse Media pages affiliated with the authorities have circulated footage showing members of Al-Joulani General Security and Army forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense humiliating key religious symbols and civilians by forcibly shaving mustaches (a sacred symbol of dignity and heritage).[2] Jihadi Incitement Civilian buses were spotted in areas under the control of the de facto government, bearing banners that read: "Dedicated to transporting Terrorists Mujahideen fighters to Swaida for free." Abducted Druze Woman More than 80 women and girls were reported missing including: Samar Jamil Nassar, 31; Abeer Hisham Qurdab, 24; Sawsan Khaldoun Muhanna, 33; Dima Bashar Najm Ghanem, 29; and Widad Ahd Deeb, 26. Deliberate Cutoff Of Essential Services In Swaida The Druze community in Swaida have been deliberately subjected to harsh and inhumane conditions as part of a broader campaign of collective punishment. Authorities have systematically cut off electricity, water, and internet services, decommissioned all hospitals in Swaida, and cut off food supplies to the region, aiming to starve the local population to death, as part of the tools of ethnic cleansing. Other Tragic News Hundreds of bodies belonging to members of the Druze community remain scattered in the streets of Swaida, a grim reminder of the brutality inflicted upon Swaida. Numerous videos from Swaida reveal extensive looting and destruction carried out by Al-Joulani General Security forces and his terrorist Militias across homes, shops, and public property. A three-month-old Druze infant was killed by Al-Joulani General Security forces during Swaida massacres. Foreign fighters were operating alongside Al-Joulani regime security forces. Druze in Idlib and Damascus are being actively targeted with incitement and hate speech. Several Druze students were physically assaulted inside the university of Aleppo/University of Homs/The University of Damascus. The assaults escalated to live gunfire. The streets of Swaida are now littered with bodies. The morgue refrigerators and hallways are full. All local hospitals are overwhelmed with men, women, and children – many in critical condition – lacking access to even the most basic medical supplies. Much of the city is without electricity or running water, and fuel is nearly impossible to find. Most roads remain blocked, including the vital route to Damascus, which supplies the city with food and essential goods. Al-Joulani Regime forces, disguised in tribal attire together with the rogue terrorist tribal militias continue to terrorize the outskirts, sniping at civilians attempting to return to their homes, and together with organized attacks to capture Swaida City again. The threat remains real, and the community is traumatized, exhausted, and dangerously vulnerable. We Are Urgently Calling For: - A humanitarian aid corridor from neighboring Jordan to deliver critical food, water, medical supplies, and fuel. - International protection, through the United Nations or international observers, to monitor the situation and prevent future atrocities. -A strong response from the U.S. State Department and Congress to put pressure on all parties responsible for these human rights violations. We Druze Syrians have long been marginalized and unprotected. We raised alarms months ago – following the massacres against Alawites in Western Syria, and Christians in multiple parts of Syria including the West, Central and Damascus – and once again, history has repeated itself. We cannot allow this cycle to continue.
