Suweida, Syria - The violence in the Druze-majority province of Suweida has escalated dramatically, leading to allegations of a horrific massacre in a local hospital. Witnesses and medical staff have reported that government troops executed patients in their hospital beds during a recent bout of sectarian conflict.
The National Hospital in Suweida has become a grim backdrop for these accusations, with authorities acknowledging the presence of numerous deceased individuals laid out in body bags, an indication of the tragedy that has unfolded here. Dr. Wissam Massoud, a neurosurgeon at the hospital, described the scene as a massacre, stating that soldiers entered the facility under the pretense of bringing peace but inflicted violence instead.
A video shared by Dr. Massoud shows the aftermath of the attack, revealing the shocking reality of dead patients still wrapped in bloodied sheets. Hospital volunteer Kiness Abu Motab expressed the dire situation of the victims, highlighting that their only crime was their minority status.
Osama Malak, an English teacher, illustrated the horror of the attackers, recounting the shooting of an eight-year-old disabled boy. International law mandates the protection of hospitals, yet this incident marks a severe violation of those protections.
While the chaos in Suweida continues to unfold, estimates suggest more than 300 individuals may have died last Wednesday, though this figure remains unverified. The Syrian defense ministry indicated awareness of such allegations and promised investigations into the reported atrocities.
Access to Suweida remains heavily controlled, complicating efforts to gather information. The city bears the scars of violence with burned shops and destroyed vehicles indicating the intense conflict. Despite ongoing government efforts to impose a ceasefire, the community remains on edge as they confront the aftermath of brutal sectarian clashes.
As one poignant story highlights, eight-year-old Hala al-Khatib, who was shot while hiding in her home, now faces a future without her parents, adding to the long list of tragic narratives emerging from this conflict-ridden region.
The National Hospital in Suweida has become a grim backdrop for these accusations, with authorities acknowledging the presence of numerous deceased individuals laid out in body bags, an indication of the tragedy that has unfolded here. Dr. Wissam Massoud, a neurosurgeon at the hospital, described the scene as a massacre, stating that soldiers entered the facility under the pretense of bringing peace but inflicted violence instead.
A video shared by Dr. Massoud shows the aftermath of the attack, revealing the shocking reality of dead patients still wrapped in bloodied sheets. Hospital volunteer Kiness Abu Motab expressed the dire situation of the victims, highlighting that their only crime was their minority status.
Osama Malak, an English teacher, illustrated the horror of the attackers, recounting the shooting of an eight-year-old disabled boy. International law mandates the protection of hospitals, yet this incident marks a severe violation of those protections.
While the chaos in Suweida continues to unfold, estimates suggest more than 300 individuals may have died last Wednesday, though this figure remains unverified. The Syrian defense ministry indicated awareness of such allegations and promised investigations into the reported atrocities.
Access to Suweida remains heavily controlled, complicating efforts to gather information. The city bears the scars of violence with burned shops and destroyed vehicles indicating the intense conflict. Despite ongoing government efforts to impose a ceasefire, the community remains on edge as they confront the aftermath of brutal sectarian clashes.
As one poignant story highlights, eight-year-old Hala al-Khatib, who was shot while hiding in her home, now faces a future without her parents, adding to the long list of tragic narratives emerging from this conflict-ridden region.
