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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘They executed him then called his wife to brag': Inside Sweida, the Syrian city ravaged by militias
On the fourth day of fighting in the Druze-majority city, Dr Amer was shot in the head as he tried to return to work. 'He was dressed in scrubs and they executed him. Then they called his wife on his phone and bragged about it,' said Sami, a surgeon at the hospital. Witnesses reported it was regime forces wearing Islamic State badges on their military fatigues. The fighting that has consumed the region started on July 13 as a dispute between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes, but quickly escalated into deadly clashes. Syrian government forces deployed to quell the violence instead became embroiled in it, drawing in Israeli intervention. Syrian soldiers, many of whom came from former jihadist ranks, are accused of aligning with other militias and attacking Druze fighters and civilians, carrying out a bloody rampage across the city. After six days of terror, the death toll is estimated to be more than 900, but confirmation will take time as bodies are recovered and identified. An 'immediate and comprehensive' US-brokered ceasefire was declared between Syria and Israel on Saturday in Sweida, but it is failing to hold. Multiple witnesses say militias are still attacking villages and the city. Sami, who is currently hiding with his family and speaking under a pseudonym for fear of retribution, was working at the hospital on Tuesday when he said government forces attacked. 'We saw the soldiers, and the bombs were landing on the hospital. We hid, but then tried to continue treating patients. Then we lost electricity and water,' he said. He was not there on Wednesday when Syrian soldiers allegedly detained the doctors and nurses in the operating rooms. 'They killed a maintenance man and told the doctors they would be executed at 6pm.' The soldiers were forced to withdraw and his colleagues escaped, Sami said, but he still does not know how many staff were killed during the attack on the hospital. Videos filmed inside the building show corpses piled up in hallways, blood-soaked floors, rooms stacked with body bags and a chaotic makeshift morgue set up outside. When Sami reached the hospital on Thursday, passing civilian bodies littering the roads nearby, he found a Syrian tank at its front entrance – and more bodies. 'It looked like a massacre,' he said. 'The hospital was partly destroyed. There were a lot of bodies put on top of each other. We still do not know who is dead. I haven't been able to make contact with all of my colleagues.' The surgeon estimates that there are 400 bodies at the hospital. Most are piled outside in the back yard because the morgue ran out of space. 'I think they will reach 1,000 soon. We do not have time to identify them or bury them,' he said. Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the Syrian president, has vowed to protect the Druze minority, but his forces have been accused of executing them in the street. Nawaf Al-Shabli, a doctor who lives on the outskirts of Sweida, described feeling powerless as he heard that his friends and colleagues might be being killed inside the National Hospital. He is trapped inside his own village on the outskirts of Sweida, which he said is still under attack from neighbouring Bedouin tribes and Arab militia groups. 'You cannot imagine the horrors,' said Dr Al-Shabli, who is also a prominent peace activist. 'These are my friends. They were so innocent. All the world will be shocked when it comes to light what happened.' Dr Al-Shabli has been distributing food and aid to his neighbours. 'I am trying to help, but there is nothing – no electricity, no clean water, no medicine. All the villages have been burnt around us.' The Druze have faced a history of persecution When the violence broke out last week, he said many villagers fled to Sweida, where they believed they would be safe. Some were killed, he said, and those that returned are traumatised. 'They came from all directions, all roads, with all resources and heavy weaponry. They wanted to destroy the Druze. They oppose our beliefs.' The Druze – whose religion is rooted in Islam, but who do not identify as Muslim – have faced a history of persecution. The sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shia Islam. More than half of the world's roughly one million Druze live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967 and annexed in 1981. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the military. In Syria, the Druze have been divided over how to deal with the country's new leaders, with some advocating for integrating into the new system, while others have remained suspicious of the authorities in Damascus and pushed for an autonomous Druze region. 'We are peaceful,' Dr Al-Shabli said. 'We do not usually fight. We want to help others. Our saying is to 'hurt no one, love all, serve all'.' Inside the city, residents are pleading for help from the outside community, saying that aid is not reaching them as militias have blocked all the roads. 'The situation is very bad. This is a disaster. We are asking for a humanitarian corridor to open up,' said Kinan Azzam, a dentist who lives in the east of Sweida city. Please, we need help. Time is running out. Why isn't anyone helping us? He described seeing bodies all over the streets and hearing of Druze women and children kidnapped, while parents were killed in their homes in front of their children. He said the fresh ceasefire agreement − the second this week after an earlier agreement on Wednesday quickly collapsed − is being broken continuously. 'Please, we need help. Time is running out. Why isn't anyone helping us?' Burcu Ozcelik, a Middle East security analyst at the Rusi think-tank, said: 'The ceasefire remains extremely fragile.' Ms Ozcelik said that a range of armed groups – operating beyond the control of the government and driven by divergent agendas – were converging on the area 'in anticipation of renewed conflict'. The deadly violence is the worst in this corner of Syria since the height of the country's nearly 14-year civil war. It has underscored the challenge the new Islamist regime is facing in stabilising the country and exerting centralised rule. The interim government, led by Mr Al-Sharaa, has failed to unite Syria's diverse religious and ethnic factions since the ousting of Bashar Al-Assad in December. Mr Al-Sharaa – a former al Qa'ida leader turned statesman – has promised tolerance and acceptance, but authorities have been accused repeatedly of trampling over the rights of the country's diverse minorities.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
‘They executed him then called his wife to brag': Inside the Druze city ravaged by militias
Dr Talat Amer, a surgeon at Sweida National Hospital in southern Syria, worked tirelessly for three days as bombs fell and the building came under siege from government and militia forces. On the fourth day of fighting in the Druze-majority city, Dr Amer was shot in the head as he tried to return to work. 'He was dressed in scrubs and they executed him. Then they called his wife on his phone and bragged about it,' Sami, a surgeon at the hospital, told The Telegraph. Witnesses reported it was regime forces wearing Islamic State badges on their military fatigues. The fighting that has consumed the region started on July 13 as a local dispute between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes but quickly escalated into deadly clashes. Syrian government forces deployed to the region to quell the violence instead became embroiled in it, drawing in Israeli intervention. Syrian soldiers, many of whom came from former jihadist ranks, are accused of aligning with other militias and attacking Druze fighters and civilians, carrying out a bloody rampage across the city. After six days of terror, the death toll is estimated to be more than 900, but confirmation will take time as bodies are recovered and identified. Despite an 'immediate and comprehensive' US-brokered ceasefire being declared between Syria and Israel on Saturday in Sweida – it is failing to hold. Multiple witnesses say militias are still attacking villages and the city. Sami, who is currently hiding with his family and speaking under a pseudonym for fear of retribution, was working at the hospital on Tuesday when he said government forces attacked. 'We saw the soldiers and the bombs were landing on the hospital, we hid but then tried to continue treating patients. Then we lost electricity and water,' he recounted. He was not there on Wednesday when Syrian soldiers were alleged to have detained the doctors and nurses in the operating rooms. 'They killed a maintenance man and told the doctors they would be executed at 6pm.' The soldiers were forced to withdraw and his colleagues escaped, Sami said, but he still does not know how many staff were killed during the attack on the hospital. Videos filmed inside the building show corpses piled up in hallways, blood-soaked floors, rooms stacked with body bags and a chaotic makeshift morgue set up outside. When Sami reached the hospital on Thursday, passing civilian bodies littering the roads nearby, he found a Syrian tank at its front entrance – and more bodies. 'It looked like a massacre,' he said. 'The hospital was partly destroyed, there were a lot of bodies put on top of each other. We still do not know who is dead. I haven't been able to make contact with all of my colleagues.' The surgeon estimates that there are 400 bodies at the hospital. Most are piled outside in the back yard because the morgue ran out of space. 'I think they will reach 1,000 soon. We do not have time to identify them or bury them' he said. Syria's leadership has vowed to punish those who committed 'heinous acts' against Druze civilians, but its control appears shaky and Sweida's residents fear authorities are unable to provide security. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian president has vowed to protect the Druze minority, but his forces have been accused of executing them in the street. Nawaf Al-Shabli, a medical doctor who lives on the outskirts of Sweida, described feeling powerless as he heard that his friends and colleagues might be being killed inside the National Hospital. He is trapped inside his own village on the outskirts of Sweida, which he said is still under attack from neighbouring Bedouin tribes and Arab militia groups. 'You cannot imagine the horrors,' Dr al-Shabli, who is also a prominent peace activist, told The Telegraph. 'These are my friends, they were so innocent. All the world will be shocked when it comes to light what happened,' he said. Dr al-Shabli has been distributing food and aid to his neighbours. 'I am trying to help, but there is nothing, no electricity, no clean water, no medicine. All the villages have been burnt around us.' When the violence broke out last week, he said many villagers fled to Sweida, where they believed they would be safe. Some were killed, he said, and those that returned are traumatised. 'They came from all directions, all roads, with all resources and heavy weaponry. They wanted to destroy the Druze, they oppose our beliefs.' The Druze, whose religion is rooted in Islam but do not identify as Muslim have faced a history of persecution. The Druze religious sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half of the roughly one 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. In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the military. In Syria, the Druze have been divided over how to deal with the country's new leaders, with some advocating for integrating into the new system while others have remained suspicious of the authorities in Damascus and pushed for an autonomous Druze region. 'We are peaceful,' he said. 'We do not usually fight, we want to help others. Our saying is to 'hurt no one, love all, serve all'.' Inside the city, residents are pleading for help from the outside community, saying that aid is not reaching them as militias have blocked all the roads. 'The situation is very bad, this is a disaster, we are asking for a humanitarian corridor to open up,' Kinan Azzam, a dentist who lives in the east of Sweida city, told The Telegraph. He described seeing bodies all over the streets and hearing of Druze women and children kidnapped, while parents were killed in their homes in front of their children. On Friday, Mr Azzam learnt that his friend, an engineer, had been taken by regime forces and killed. 'He was a very good person, they kidnapped him and killed him in a bad way and left him.' Now, he said the fresh ceasefire agreement – the second this week after an earlier agreement on Wednesday quickly collapsed – is being broken continuously. 'Please we need help, time is running out, why isn't anyone helping us?' Burcu Ozcelik, a Middle East security analyst at the Rusi think tank, told The Telegraph: 'The ceasefire remains extremely fragile.' She said a range of armed groups, operating beyond the control of the government and driven by divergent agendas, are converging on the area 'in anticipation of renewed conflict'. Ms Ozcelik added: 'This escalation must be urgently contained.' There have also been reports of attacks on the small Bedouin communities, – who are predominantly Sunni Muslim – in Sweida and what Syrian media outlets called massacres by 'outlaw groups'. The deadly violence, the worst in this corner of Syria since the height of the country's nearly 14 year civil war, has underscored the challenge the new Islamist regime is facing stabilising the country and exerting centralised rule. The interim government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, has tried and so far failed to unite Syria's diverse religious and ethnic factions since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December. The former al-Qaeda leader turned statesman has promised tolerance and acceptance, authorities have been accused repeatedly of trampling over the rights of the country's diverse minorities. Col (res) Hamada Ganem, a Druze former commander of the IDF's Northern Brigade in the Gaza Strip, questioned why the Druze militias would heed their de-facto control of Sweida to the government. 'Why would they put down their arms when they cannot trust the unstable regime to protect them? Everyone takes the law into their own hands and the Druze are suffering,' he told The Telegraph. 'The Druze want peace, they want to be part of Syria, but they need protection. Al-Sharaa speaks two languages: one of peace and accountability, while the other is spoken by his forces that attack the Druze.'
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Shah Rukh Khan saw Adnan Sami in trouble when freezing winds took over Venice. He quickly planned a sweet rescue
Synopsis During a commercial shoot in Venice with Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor, singer Adnan Sami recalled how a sudden cold spell left the team unprepared, as they had all packed for summer. Sami, who was dressed in his usual Hawaiian shirts and Bermudas, had no warm clothes. Seeing this, Shah Rukh, who was also producing the ad, went out and bought jackets for him while he rested from jetlag. Sami described the gesture as thoughtful and touching, noting how SRK didn't have to do it but still did. Shah Rukh Khan and Adnan Sami Singer and composer Adnan Sami recently opened up about a memorable incident involving Shah Rukh Khan during a commercial shoot in Venice, where Kareena Kapoor was also part of the project. Known for his vibrant personality and outspoken views, Sami reflected on how a sudden shift in the weather left the crew unprepared — and how SRK stepped in with an unexpected and thoughtful shoot was originally planned for summer, and all members of the crew, including Sami, had packed accordingly. Adnan, in particular, arrived in Venice with only his usual Hawaiian shirts and Bermudas. However, the weather took a drastic turn, plunging into an unexpected cold spell with rain and strong winds — conditions that caught the team off guard. Recounting the incident in a chat with Bollywood Bubble , Sami said he had no warm clothes on hand. Shah Rukh, who was not just acting in the commercial but also producing it, noticed Sami's summer attire and expressed concern. Seeing how jet-lagged and tired Adnan was after nearly a day and a half of travel, Shah Rukh asked if he had any winter wear. When Adnan admitted he didn't, he decided to rest, unaware of what was to come Sami slept, Shah Rukh went shopping on his own to get him warm clothing. Adnan recalled being touched when SRK came to his room later and handed over jackets, remarking on the cold weather outside. What struck Adnan the most was that Shah Rukh had taken the time to not only buy the clothes himself but also managed to find the right sizes, which, as Sami pointed out, wasn't an easy task. He described the gesture as incredibly sweet and thoughtful, adding that Shah Rukh didn't need to do it, but the fact that he did spoke volumes about his the interview, Adnan also commented on his wardrobe choice at the time, recalling that the colourful Hawaiian shirts had become part of his style statement. He mentioned that even though his wife disliked them, he embraced the look. He said that his fashion sense reflected his attitude toward life and body positivity — a defiant celebration of self without questioned about the shirt in the iconic photograph with SRK and Kareena, Sami joked that he had no regrets. 'I was fat, and I said I'm going to make noise about it,' he shared, adding that he wore those shirts with pride and humour, often responding to size-related questions with, 'I eat a lot and enjoy it.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Adnan Sami recalls Lata Mangeshkar singing for his father on his deathbed: 'There were tears coming out of his eyes'
Adnan Sami shared his special connection with Lata Mangeshkar. She was his father's favorite singer. Sami recalled a phone call with Mangeshkar that comforted his ailing father. She even edited photos of Sami's daughter, Medina. Mangeshkar's kindness deeply touched Sami and his family. He remembers her fondly after her passing on February 6, 2022. She was very special to him. Adnan Sami recently opened up about his deeply personal bond with the legendary Lata Mangeshkar , revealing how her music—and her kindness—touched his family in the most profound way. From comforting his father on his deathbed with her voice to lovingly editing photos of his daughter Medina, the Bharat Ratna awardee's presence in Sami's life was more than just musical—it was deeply emotional and unforgettable. A Voice That Transcended Generations In a chat with Bollywood Bubble, Adnan spoke fondly about the personal bond he shared with Lata Mangeshkar. He described her not just as the Bharat Ratna and the Nightingale of India, but as the ultimate voice that had graced microphones and speakers across the country. His Father's Favourite Singer The singer-composer shared that Lata Mangeshkar held a special place in his father's heart, calling her his all-time favorite singer. His father grew up listening to her and could sing all her songs. For Sami, collaborating with her wasn't just a personal honor—it was a moment that made his father immensely proud. An Unforgettable Phone Call He also recalled an emotional moment from his father's final days battling pancreatic cancer. Wanting to lift his father's spirits, he decided to call Lata Mangeshkar. At the time, his father was in Mumbai and critically ill. Sami shared the helplessness he felt watching a loved one suffer in such a painful, final stage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo A Bond That Extended to the Next Generation Sami further shared a deeply emotional memory of how Lata Mangeshkar brought comfort to his ailing father. In an effort to cheer him up, Sami called 'Didi' and told her about his father's condition. She agreed to speak with him, and when Sami handed over the phone, his father was stunned—and overjoyed. His face lit up as he reminisced about listening to her since childhood, tears streaming down his cheeks while she sang to him. Watching his father so peaceful in that moment left a lasting impact on Sami, highlighting just how much Lata Mangeshkar meant to him and his family. Another unique way Adnan Sami and Lata Mangeshkar stayed connected was through his daughter, Medina. Sami revealed that he often sent her photos of Medina, which Lata ji lovingly edited herself. Photography and photo editing were among her passions, and she would zoom in on tiny details she found adorable—like Medina's toe—then send the touched-up images back. Even in her final years, she continued to color correct and crop the photos he shared. 'She was very special to me,' Sami said, reflecting on their heartfelt bond. Lata Mangeshkar passed away on February 6, 2022.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shah Rukh Khan saw Adnan Sami in trouble when freezing winds took over Venice. He quickly planned a sweet rescue
Singer and composer Adnan Sami recently opened up about a memorable incident involving Shah Rukh Khan during a commercial shoot in Venice, where Kareena Kapoor was also part of the project. Known for his vibrant personality and outspoken views, Sami reflected on how a sudden shift in the weather left the crew unprepared — and how SRK stepped in with an unexpected and thoughtful act. The shoot was originally planned for summer, and all members of the crew, including Sami, had packed accordingly. Adnan, in particular, arrived in Venice with only his usual Hawaiian shirts and Bermudas. However, the weather took a drastic turn, plunging into an unexpected cold spell with rain and strong winds — conditions that caught the team off guard. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Management others Digital Marketing Artificial Intelligence Design Thinking Public Policy Finance Data Science Product Management Degree Data Science Operations Management Healthcare CXO Project Management healthcare PGDM Technology MBA Leadership Data Analytics MCA Cybersecurity Others Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK General Management Programme India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta CERT-IIMC APSPM India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK GMPBE India Starts on undefined Get Details Shah Rukh Khan Steps In Recounting the incident in a chat with Bollywood Bubble , Sami said he had no warm clothes on hand. Shah Rukh, who was not just acting in the commercial but also producing it, noticed Sami's summer attire and expressed concern. Seeing how jet-lagged and tired Adnan was after nearly a day and a half of travel, Shah Rukh asked if he had any winter wear. When Adnan admitted he didn't, he decided to rest, unaware of what was to come next. While Sami slept, Shah Rukh went shopping on his own to get him warm clothing. Adnan recalled being touched when SRK came to his room later and handed over jackets, remarking on the cold weather outside. What struck Adnan the most was that Shah Rukh had taken the time to not only buy the clothes himself but also managed to find the right sizes, which, as Sami pointed out, wasn't an easy task. He described the gesture as incredibly sweet and thoughtful, adding that Shah Rukh didn't need to do it, but the fact that he did spoke volumes about his character. A Statement of Self-Acceptance During the interview, Adnan also commented on his wardrobe choice at the time, recalling that the colourful Hawaiian shirts had become part of his style statement. He mentioned that even though his wife disliked them, he embraced the look. He said that his fashion sense reflected his attitude toward life and body positivity — a defiant celebration of self without shame. When questioned about the shirt in the iconic photograph with SRK and Kareena, Sami joked that he had no regrets. 'I was fat, and I said I'm going to make noise about it,' he shared, adding that he wore those shirts with pride and humour, often responding to size-related questions with, 'I eat a lot and enjoy it.'
