Journalists and activists in Qamishlo condemn the massacre of the Druze in Suweida

Early Tuesday evening, numerous journalists and activists gathered in front of the United Nations office in Qamishlo to strongly condemn the massacre of the Druze population in the province of Suweida in southern Syria. In a joint statement, they denounced the violence against the religious minority and called for solidarity with those affected.

The group expressed their dismay at the escalation of violence in Suweida. Lawyer and human rights activist Ciwan Mihemed said: “Whether in Qamishlo, Damascus or Suweida, we stand against all forms of bloodshed and violence. Our voice and our pen belong to the people of Suweida.” Mihemed emphasized that the action in Qamishlo was only a first step: “Our protest does not end today. Wherever the blood of innocent people is shed in Syria, we will raise our voices—as journalists, as activists, as human beings.”

Call for international investigations and humanitarian interventions

The statement also sharply criticized the role of the so-called transitional government and its allies. In particular, it pointed to the involvement of Damascus troops, composed of mercenaries from the jihadist militia “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” (HTS), in targeted attacks and executions of Druze. The journalists called for international investigations and humanitarian intervention to protect the Druze population.

At least 1,311 dead in Suweida

Since the clashes began on July 13 between government troops, Bedouins, and Sunni tribal militias on one side and Druze resistance units on the other, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has recorded at least 1,311 deaths, more than half of whom are from Suweida, including numerous civilians. On the other hand, 196 individuals, including 28 women, eight children, and an elderly man, were executed by gunmen affiliated with the transitional government. According to SOHR, houses in more than 20 Druze villages were looted and burned down by attackers, and more than a thousand vehicles were stolen. According to the ANHA news agency, around 100 Druze women were also kidnapped.