Reports from Suweida city describe horrific scenes at a local hospital, where patients were allegedly targeted and killed by government forces during recent sectarian clashes.
Massacre Allegations Emerge from Suweida Hospital Amid Escalating Violence in Syria
Massacre Allegations Emerge from Suweida Hospital Amid Escalating Violence in Syria
Claims of a brutal attack at a Syrian hospital raise fears over escalating sectarian violence in the region.
Reports have surfaced alleging a massacre committed by Syrian government forces at the National Hospital in Suweida City, located in a Druze-majority province of southern Syria. Eyewitness accounts reveal shocking details about victims, some of whom were patients innocently lying in their hospital beds. Dr. Wissam Massoud, a neurosurgeon at the facility, recounted the devastating aftermath, claiming, "The soldiers came here saying they wanted to bring peace, but they killed scores of patients." His account was echoed by hospital staff and community members, who feel targeted due to their minority status.
In the hospital's car park, there are numerous white plastic body bags containing the remains of those alleged to have been murdered, painting a grim picture of violence sweeping the region. Hospital volunteers, like Kiness Abu Motab, articulated the plight of the victims: "What is their crime? Just for being a minority in a democratic country?" Eyewitness accounts described soldiers entering the hospital and firing upon patients, with claims of an eight-year-old disabled boy mercilessly shot in the head.
While the Syrian government denies culpability, civil unrest in the area has raised alarm about the ongoing conflict, and various factions have exchanged blame for rising atrocities. Despite the chaos, the Syrian Ministry of Defense has vowed to investigate reports of human rights violations from all sides.
Access to Suweida City has become increasingly restrictive, compounded by military checkpoints and evidence of extensive battle damage throughout the region. As residents struggle to report the truth amid these developments, many express distrust in government authority.
Amid the horror, eight-year-old Hala al-Khatib's story emerged. She, too, suffered a severe head injury during the violence and remains unaware of the fate of her parents. As the country grapples with these tragic incidents, international advocacy calls for a broader examination into the ongoing violence, urging accountability and proper investigation into the allegations.
