Armed Men Loot and Set Fire to Businesses
In the southern region of Syria, armed men have been looting and setting fire to businesses, with some concealing their faces while firing automatic weapons in the streets. This chaos unfolded despite an immediate ceasefire announcement by the interim Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Tribal Combatants Advance Towards Sweida
Just hours before the ceasefire declaration, tribal Sunni and Bedouin allies of the national authorities advanced towards Sweida, a predominantly Druze area. A tribal fighter named Abu Jasem rallied his men, shouting “Forward, tribes!” in nearly deserted streets, vowing to “massacre” the Druze residents.
By the end of the day, however, Druze fighters had regained control of the city, while clashes continued in other parts of Sweida province.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) reported that tribal combatants withdrew from Sweida late Saturday.
“There are no more Bedouins in the city,” said Basem Fajr, spokesman for the Druze Worthy Men Movement, one of the two main armed factions in the Druze community.
Sweida Residents Trapped and Suffering
In Sweida, a city of around 150,000 residents, people have remained confined to their homes without water or electricity, and communication lines are cut off.
Despite repeated requests for humanitarian aid, food remains scarce. An AFP photographer witnessed burnt houses and vehicles, as well as armed men looting and setting fire to businesses.
Some, with faces covered, fired automatic weapons in the streets while others traveled by car or motorcycle.
An armed fighter wore a black band on his head with the inscription of his Islamic faith. Another carried pruning shears, days after videos surfaced showing combatants cutting the beards of elderly Druze and religious figures as an insult.
Druze, members of a Shia Islam branch, are viewed with suspicion and hostility by Sunni Islamists, the backbone of the new Syrian power established after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December, who belong to another minority group, the Alawites.
“We Have Nothing Left”
In Sweida, residents have remained sheltering in their homes without water, electricity, and cut-off communications. Food is scarce despite repeated calls for humanitarian aid.
An AFP photographer saw decomposing bodies near the city’s main hospital being transported to a nearby mass grave, as the morgue was at full capacity.
A doctor told AFP that the facility had received over 400 bodies.
Security forces were deployed Saturday in the province, with the declared purpose of protecting civilians.
Interior Ministry spokesman Nureddin al-Baba told AFP that security forces were deployed “to protect public and private property and ensure civilian safety.”
Security forces were to “oversee the withdrawal of tribes engaged in conflict with outlaw groups,” referring to Druze fighters.
An AFP correspondent observed some tribal combatants leaving the city Saturday afternoon, with armed men dragging bodies through the streets.
At least 87,000 people have been displaced by the conflict, according to UN data.
A series of violent videos circulating on social media recently showed what appeared to be civilian executions and humiliation of elderly Druze religious figures by combatants.
Numerous individuals have shared heart-breaking testimonies about the deaths of their loved ones. A resident who managed to leave the city days ago told AFP, “We have nothing left.”
“Sweida is destroyed, and we’re trying to keep our families away until this madness ends,” the resident said, requesting anonymity for security reasons.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is happening in southern Syria despite the ceasefire announcement? Armed men, primarily tribal Sunni and Bedouin allies of the national authorities, have been looting and setting fire to businesses in Sweida, a predominantly Druze area. Despite an immediate ceasefire declaration by the interim Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, violence has continued.
- Who are the Druze and why are they targeted? The Druze are members of a Shia Islam branch. They have been viewed with suspicion and hostility by Sunni Islamists, who form the backbone of the new Syrian power established after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. These Sunni Islamists belong to another minority group, the Alawites.
- What is the current situation for Sweida residents? Residents in Sweida have been confined to their homes without essential services like water and electricity. Food is scarce, and security forces have been deployed to protect civilians amidst ongoing clashes. At least 87,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.
- What are some of the recent developments in the conflict? Violent videos have circulated on social media, showing apparent civilian executions and humiliation of elderly Druze religious figures. Numerous testimonies from residents describe the loss of loved ones and the destruction of Sweida.
