Reports of a massacre at Suweida's National Hospital are coming to light as sectarian violence escalates in the Druze-majority province. Eyewitnesses and hospital staff claim that Syrian government forces killed patients, including minors, during a violent raid. The hospital's car park reportedly contains multiple decomposing bodies, underscoring the alleged brutality of the attack.
Dr. Wissam Massoud, a neurosurgeon at the hospital, described the scene as a "massacre," with soldiers claiming to restore peace while reportedly killing patients of all ages. A disturbing video shared by Dr. Massoud shows dead patients wrapped in bloodied sheets in hospital wards, a testament to the violence that unfolded.
Volunteer Kiness Abu Motab expressed the outrage felt by many, stating that the victims were targeted simply for being part of a minority community. "What is their crime? Just for being a minority in a democratic country?" he lamented. Osama Malak, a local English teacher, recounted a particularly harrowing incident involving an eight-year-old disabled boy who was shot in the head while in his hospital bed.
Accusations of atrocities are rampant, with various factions in the conflict— including Bedouin, Druze fighters, and the Syrian army—blaming one another for civilian deaths. While the Syrian defense ministry acknowledged "shocking violations" carried out by individuals in military clothing, the circumstances surrounding the hospital incident remain largely unverified.
With access to Suweida city severely restricted, firsthand evidence collection has proven challenging. The city, under siege, shows signs of recent violent confrontations with multiple checkpoints blocking entrance. Despite some villages in the area regaining control from government forces, the city itself retains over 70,000 residents predominantly making up the Druze community.
One poignant story involves eight-year-old Hala al-Khatib, who survived a gunshot wound to her head while hiding. Tragically, she has yet to learn that both her parents have been killed in the violence, highlighting the personal tragedies intertwined with this unfolding crisis.
The ongoing violence has raised alarms and calls for investigations into all alleged atrocities in the area. The latest developments emphasize the urgent need for clarity and accountability as the situation intensifies in Syria’s conflict-ridden landscape.
