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Metro
20-07-2025
- Health
- Metro
Decomposing bodies pile up on streets after more than 1,000 killed in Syria
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video As many as 1,017 people have been killed during clashes, executions and Israeli airstrikes in Syria ahead of a ceasefire today. Mutilated, decomposing bodies are piling on streets in the southern city of Sweida over the last week as hospitals have run out of space to store the dead. Fighting between factions of the Druze minority group and Bedouin tribes began last week, drawing in a military intervention from Syrian forces. On the pretence of defending the Druze fighters, Israel unleashed a series of bombardments on Sweida and the Syrian defence ministry in Damascus on Monday. Amid the secterian violence, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that the death toll has surpassed 1,000 – with almost half of them civilians. An estimated 336 Druze fighters and 298 civilians from the minority group, as well as 342 government security personnel and 21 Sunni Bedouin, have been killed. Hospitals in Sweida have been inundated and are running out of medical supplies to treat the injured and space to store the bodied of the dead. A doctor in Sweida said a local hospital was full of bodies and wounded people from days of violence. 'All the injuries are from bombs, some people with their chests wounded. There are also injuries to limbs from shrapnel,' said Omar Obeid, director of the hospital. Syrian television reported that corpses are piled up on streets due to lack of space in morgue refrigerators at National Hospital. It added: 'The health situation is getting worse in Sweida Governorate. 'Hospitals are witnessing a shortage of medical staff and tragic conditions amid a severe shortage of medicines. Escalating hostilities can only be contained with an agreement to pause violence, protect the innocent, allow humanitarian access, and step back from danger. As of 17:00 Damascus time, all parties have navigated to a pause and cessation of hostilities. The next foundation stone… — Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) July 20, 2025 'Water cut off completely from the National Hospital. Corpses are piling up in the National Hospital garden because the refrigerators cannot accommodate the number of corpses. 'Water cut continues to affect the neighborhoods of Sweida city for the seventh day in a row. 'Operation of bakeries in the city has stopped except for the health bakery, which is not enough to cover the needs of the population.' Residents reported calm in Sweida today after the Islamist-led government announced that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city and a US envoy signalled that a deal to end days of fighting was being implemented. Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa announced that an immediate ceasefire will take place today and urged an immediate end to hostilities. The interior ministry said internal forces had begun deploying. But there are fears as to how long the deal will remain in place for, despite support from Turkey, Jordan and the US. More Trending Sharaa said Syria would not be a 'testing ground for partition, secession, or sectarian incitement'. 'The Israeli intervention pushed the country into a dangerous phase that threatened its stability,' he said in a televised speech. The ceasefire involves the deployment of government security forces to Sweida province, and the opening of humanitarian corridors. It also includes 'work to secure all detained Bedouin residents in areas controlled by outlaw groups', the interior ministry said, referring to Druze fighters, as well as the exchange of detainees. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Dozens more Palestinians 'shot dead by Israeli troops while seeking aid' MORE: Priest close to Pope Francis injured in Israeli attack on Gaza's only Catholic church MORE: Ragtag Zohran Mamdani protest likened to Netflix comedy sketch
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Mass grave': Medics appeal for aid at last working hospital in Syria's Sweida
In the last barely-functional hospital in Sweida, bodies are overflowing from the morgue, staff said, amid violence that has wracked the Druze-majority southern Syrian city for nearly a week. "It's not a hospital anymore, it's a mass grave," said Rouba, a member of the medical staff at the city's sole government hospital, weeping as she appealed for aid. Dr Omar Obeid, who heads the Sweida division at Syria's Order of Physicians, said the facility has received "more than 400 bodies since Monday morning", including women, children and the elderly. "There's no more space in the morgue, the bodies are out on the street" in front of the hospital, he continued. Fighting erupted Sunday night between Druze fighters and local Bedouin tribes before Syrian government forces intervened on Tuesday with the stated intention of quelling the violence. But in the subsequent events, those government forces were accused of grave abuses against the minority, according to rights organisations, witnesses and Druze groups. The government forces withdrew from the city on Thursday following threats from Israel, which has vowed to protect the Druze. In the hospital on Friday, corridors were engulfed by the stench of the dead bodies, which had bloated beyond recognition, an AFP correspondent said. Visibly overwhelmed, the handful of medical personnel remaining at the facility nonetheless rushed to do their best to offer care to the seemingly endless stream of wounded, many of them waiting in the hallways. "There are only nine doctors and medical staff left, and they are working nonstop," said Rouba, who preferred not to give her full name. - 'No water, no electricity' - "The situation is very bad, we have no water and no electricity, medicines are starting to run out," Rouba continued. "There are people who have been at home for three days and we can't manage to rescue them," she said. "The bodies are on the streets and no one can go out to get them. Yesterday, five big cars filled with bodies arrived at the hospital. "There are women, children, people whose identities are unknown, cut-off arms or legs." The United Nations on Friday urged an end to the bloodshed, demanding "independent, prompt and transparent investigations into all violations". According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the violence has claimed the lives of nearly 600 people since Sunday. Omar Obeid told AFP that three of his colleagues were killed, including one who was "shot dead in his house, in front of his family". Another was killed at point-blank range in her car as she drove through a security checkpoint, he said. The third, "surgeon Talaat Amer was killed while he was at the hospital on Tuesday in a blue surgical gown to perform his duty", Obeid said. "They shot him in the head. Then they called his wife and told her: your husband was wearing a surgical cap -- it's red now." at/jsa/dcp Solve the daily Crossword
Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Straits Times
‘Mass grave': Medics appeal for aid at last working hospital in Syria's Sweida
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A health worker and other men walk amid the bodies of victims laid out for identification in a hospital yard in Sweida on July 17. SWEIDA - In the last barely-functional hospital in Sweida, bodies are overflowing from the morgue, staff said, amid violence that has wracked the Druze-majority southern Syrian city for nearly a week. 'It's not a hospital anymore, it's a mass grave,' said Ms Rouba, a member of the medical staff at the city's sole government hospital, weeping as she appealed for aid. Dr Omar Obeid, who heads the Sweida division at Syria's Order of Physicians, said the facility has received 'more than 400 bodies since Monday morning', including women, children and the elderly. 'There's no more space in the morgue, the bodies are out on the street' in front of the hospital, he continued. Fighting erupted on the night of July 13 between Druze fighters and local Bedouin tribes before Syrian government forces intervened on Tuesday with the stated intention of quelling the violence. But in the subsequent events, those government forces were accused of grave abuses against the minority, according to rights organisations, witnesses and Druze groups. The government forces withdrew from the city on July 17 following threats from Israel, which has vowed to protect the Druze. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Asia Indonesia court jails former trade minister for 4½ years in sugar graft case Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 7-year-old girl, cabby taken to hospital after vehicle pile-up in City Hall area Singapore Former NUH male nurse charged after he allegedly molested man at hospital In the hospital on July 18, corridors were engulfed by the stench of the dead bodies, which had bloated beyond recognition, an AFP correspondent said. Visibly overwhelmed, the handful of medical personnel remaining at the facility nonetheless rushed to do their best to offer care to the seemingly endless stream of wounded, many of them waiting in the hallways. 'There are only nine doctors and medical staff left, and they are working nonstop,' said Ms Rouba, who preferred not to give her full name. 'No water, no electricity' 'The situation is very bad, we have no water and no electricity, medicines are starting to run out,' Ms Rouba continued. 'There are people who have been at home for three days and we can't manage to rescue them,' she said. 'The bodies are on the streets and no one can go out to get them. Yesterday, five big cars filled with bodies arrived at the hospital. 'There are women, children, people whose identities are unknown, cut-off arms or legs.' The United Nations on July 18 urged an end to the bloodshed, demanding 'independent, prompt and transparent investigations into all violations'. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the violence has claimed the lives of nearly 600 people since July 13. Dr Omar Obeid told AFP that three of his colleagues were killed, including one who was 'shot dead in his house, in front of his family'. Another was killed at point-blank range in her car as she drove through a security checkpoint, he said. The third, 'surgeon Talaat Amer was killed while he was at the hospital on July 15 in a blue surgical gown to perform his duty', Dr Obeid said. 'They shot him in the head. Then they called his wife and told her: your husband was wearing a surgical cap – it's red now.' AFP
LBCI
18-07-2025
- Health
- LBCI
Syria's Sweida hospital has received over 400 bodies since Monday
The government hospital in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida in southern Syria has received "more than 400 bodies since Monday morning," including those of women and children, Omar Obeid, a doctor, told AFP on Friday. "There is no more room in the morgue, the bodies are in the street" in front of the hospital, added Obeid, president of the Sweida branch of the Order of Physicians. Violence erupted Sunday evening with clashes between Druze fighters and local Bedouin tribes, followed by the intervention of Syrian government forces, who are accused of joining in the fighting against the minority group. AFP
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
'Mass grave': Medics appeal for aid at last working hospital in Syria's Sweida
In the last barely-functional hospital in Sweida, bodies are overflowing from the morgue, staff said, amid violence that has wracked the Druze-majority southern Syrian city for nearly a week. "It's not a hospital anymore, it's a mass grave," said Rouba, a member of the medical staff at the city's sole government hospital, weeping as she appealed for aid. Dr Omar Obeid, who heads the Sweida division at Syria's Order of Physicians, said the facility has received "more than 400 bodies since Monday morning", including women, children and the elderly. "There's no more space in the morgue, the bodies are out on the street" in front of the hospital, he continued. Fighting erupted Sunday night between Druze fighters and local Bedouin tribes before Syrian government forces intervened on Tuesday with the stated intention of quelling the violence. But in the subsequent events, those government forces were accused of grave abuses against the minority, according to rights organisations, witnesses and Druze groups. The government forces withdrew from the city on Thursday following threats from Israel, which has vowed to protect the Druze. In the hospital on Friday, corridors were engulfed by the stench of the dead bodies, which had bloated beyond recognition, an AFP correspondent said. Visibly overwhelmed, the handful of medical personnel remaining at the facility nonetheless rushed to do their best to offer care to the seemingly endless stream of wounded, many of them waiting in the hallways. "There are only nine doctors and medical staff left, and they are working nonstop," said Rouba, who preferred not to give her full name. - 'No water, no electricity' - "The situation is very bad, we have no water and no electricity, medicines are starting to run out," Rouba continued. "There are people who have been at home for three days and we can't manage to rescue them," she said. "The bodies are on the streets and no one can go out to get them. Yesterday, five big cars filled with bodies arrived at the hospital. "There are women, children, people whose identities are unknown, cut-off arms or legs." The United Nations on Friday urged an end to the bloodshed, demanding "independent, prompt and transparent investigations into all violations". According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the violence has claimed the lives of nearly 600 people since Sunday. Omar Obeid told AFP that three of his colleagues were killed, including one who was "shot dead in his house, in front of his family". Another was killed at point-blank range in her car as she drove through a security checkpoint, he said. The third, "surgeon Talaat Amer was killed while he was at the hospital on Tuesday in a blue surgical gown to perform his duty", Obeid said. "They shot him in the head. Then they called his wife and told her: your husband was wearing a surgical cap -- it's red now." at/jsa/dcp
