The ongoing violence in Suweida, a province predominantly inhabited by the Druze community, has triggered widespread concern as claims of a massacre at a local hospital surface. Eyewitness accounts suggest Syrian government forces executed a brutal attack on vulnerable patients amidst escalating sectarian tensions over the past week.
Upon arrival at Suweida's National Hospital, BBC correspondent Jon Donnison was greeted by the overwhelming odor of decay emanating from a collection of decomposing bodies stored in white plastic bags in the hospital’s parking lot. The scene is harrowing, with reports of patients of all ages being shot indiscriminately. Dr. Wissam Massoud, a neurosurgeon at the facility, decried the government's actions, stating, "The soldiers came here saying they wanted to bring peace, but they killed scores of patients."
Volunteers and health workers describe a coordinated attack by government troops that targeted the Druze minority, posing the question of the victims' crime being their ethnicity. Kiness Abu Motab, a volunteer, expressed the grave concerns of the community: "They are criminals. They are monsters. We don't trust them at all."
The brutality reportedly included the harrowing instance of an eight-year-old disabled boy being shot while in his hospital bed. Locals claim that international laws protecting medical facilities were violated during the chilling attack. Witness testimonies highlight the chaos as troops stormed the hospital, firing upon patients in their states of vulnerability.
While both sides of the conflict have accused one another of suspected atrocities, the exact toll of the violence remains elusive, leading estimates to suggest that more than 300 individuals were killed in the hospital alone—a figure that remains unverified at this time.
In a response from the Syrian defense ministry, officials acknowledged reports detailing "shocking violations," asserting that an investigation into the matters will commence. However, the complexities of the situation are compounded by military restrictions limiting access to Suweida City, making firsthand accounts of the events challenging to gather.
Despite ongoing violence, Suweida City, home to over 70,000 people, continues to function under the control of the Druze community; however, recent clashes between Druze and Bedouin fighters highlight a distressing atmosphere. As journalists navigate through the war-torn region, they are met with remnants of destruction, reinforcing the community's urgent need for support and justice amid this escalating crisis.
Tragically, the violence has also impacted innocent lives, as witnessed by a young girl named Hala Al Khatib, who was left bloodied and in shock after allegedly being shot in the head by the gunmen. The young survivor faces an uncertain future, with both her parents having tragically lost their lives in the chaos. The stories emerging from Suweida reflect a dire humanitarian crisis—compounding fears for the safety and stability of the region.
