logo
Druze elder humiliated in viral video found alive, granddaughter says

Druze elder humiliated in viral video found alive, granddaughter says

Gulf Today17-07-2025
The granddaughter of a Druze elder, whose humiliation at the hands of an armed man was captured in a viral video as Syrian forces entered Sweida this week, said he had been found alive following claims he was dead.
The widely circulated video showed Sheikh Merhej Shahin, 80, in front of his home as a man in military attire forcibly shaved off his moustache — a grave insult in the Druze community.
The family had desperately tried to contact Shahin for hours after the video began spreading on Tuesday, his granddaughter Christine Shahin told AFP, but his phone was ultimately answered by an unknown person who taunted them, saying the elder had "met his end".
But on Thursday she said he had been found alive and well by Druze fighters in the wake of government forces' withdrawal.
"Thank God, my grandfather is now home," she said.
"After the siege of our village was lifted, the young men found him safe and sound."
Syrian government forces on Tuesday entered the majority-Druze city of Sweida, in the country's south, with the stated aim of overseeing a ceasefire after clashes between local fighters and Bedouin tribes left dozens dead.
However, witnesses reported that the government forces joined with the Bedouin in attacking Druze fighters and civilians in a bloody rampage through the city.
Late Wednesday, the central government announced it was pulling out its troops after striking an accord for a ceasefire with local representatives.
The video of Merhej Shahin's mistreatment had sparked widespread anger in the Druze heartland.
According to his family, the octogenarian had been in the hands of armed groups after the video was filmed, though the exact circumstances were still unknown due to difficulties with communications.
Agence France-Presse
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US tells Syrian government to investigate killing of American Druze man in Sweida
US tells Syrian government to investigate killing of American Druze man in Sweida

The National

time2 hours ago

  • The National

US tells Syrian government to investigate killing of American Druze man in Sweida

The Trump administration is calling on the Syrian government to investigate the death of an American citizen, who was killed in an execution-style attack alongside several family members in southern Syria last week. 'We have had direct discussions with the Syrian Government on this issue, and have called for an immediate investigation into the matter,' State Department Deputy Spokesman Tommy Pigott told reporters. Mr Pigott would not specify who he believed was responsible for the attack nor give any further details as to the circumstances. Video circulated online shows a group of armed men clad in military fatigues firing dozens of shots at a group of eight kneeling men. Hosam Saraya, 35, an American citizen of Syrian Druze descent who lived in Oklahoma, was among the killed. The killings came during a period of increased violence and tension in the Sweida region of Syria, as Bedouin and Druze clashed. The Syrian government sent in forces to quiet the fighting, which prompted Israel to launch a series of strikes against Damascus in defence of the Druze community, which has thousands of members in Israel and the occupied Golan Heights. Hundreds of Druze have been killed since hostilities broke out on June 12 and the area has been under a government siege, without electricity, as its supplies of drinking water are running out, according to Suwayda 24, a network of citizen journalists. Washington helped to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Syria, which saw Damascus withdraw troops from the area. The US has lifted many of its sanctions on Syria in an effort to help the fledgling government of President Ahmed Al Shara. Some in Congress are uneasy about moving too quickly to lift remaining sanctions, given the bloodshed. 'Trump announced sanctions relief for Syria on May 13, to give all Syrians a chance at a peaceful and prosperous country,' Mr Pigott said. 'Syria is at a critical juncture, and we are looking to the Syrian government to lead on next steps.'

Several dead and dozens injured in 'arms depot' explosion in Syria
Several dead and dozens injured in 'arms depot' explosion in Syria

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

Several dead and dozens injured in 'arms depot' explosion in Syria

Several people have been killed and dozens injured in a huge explosion in Syria, where local TV reports said the blast occurred at an ammunition depot. Emergencies Minister Raed Al Saleh said there were 'recurring explosions' near the town of Maarat Misrin, in the north-western province of Idlib. He said the cause was unknown. Syria's Health Ministry gave a preliminary toll of four people killed and 116 injured, according to Syrian state news agency Sana. State-owned Ekhbariya TV gave a figure of six people killed. 'Syrian Civil Defence teams rushed to the site immediately after the incident and are performing their duty to evacuate victims and transport the injured," Sana quoted Mr Al Saleh as saying. Idlib explosion - in pictures Syria TV reported that 'war remnants and ammunition' had exploded at the site, leaving several people dead and injured. A correspondent said some people might have been trapped under the rubble. 'The area witnessed successive explosions as a result of the detonation of war remnants and munitions present at the site,' the broadcaster said, citing sources. Bassel Seteif, the director of a medical centre treating patients, said almost 100 people had arrived there after the blast, of whom three had died. "All the injuries are civilians, mostly women and children. The injuries varied from mild to severe," he said. "We redirected medium cases to different wards as we finish their treatment or sign them up for surgery if needed." There was no immediate indication of any link to deadly fighting in Sweida in southern Syria, where hundreds of people have been killed in clashes involving pro-government forces and local militias. Syria is struggling to recover from a nearly 14-year civil war that ended with the removal of former President Bashar Al Assad last year. The Syrian economy has been devastated by the civil war that began in 2011 after an uprising against the Bashar Al Assad regime. The UN Development Programme estimates cumulative losses, including physical damage and economic deprivation, at $923 billion as of the end of last year. The estimated cost of reconstruction has varied from $250 billion to $500 billion.

Syria asks Turkey for defence support following Sweida violence
Syria asks Turkey for defence support following Sweida violence

Middle East Eye

time8 hours ago

  • Middle East Eye

Syria asks Turkey for defence support following Sweida violence

Syria's interim government has asked Turkey for support to strengthen its defence capacities, Turkish officials announced on Wednesday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, Turkish defence officials also confirmed that Syria is seeking Turkey's assistance to combat "terrorist organisations", including the Islamic State group. "As long as our brotherly country, Syria, requests it, Turkey will continue to stand firmly by its side," Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, told reporters. 'The heroic Turkish armed forces will fulfil this, both to assist our Syrian brothers and to prevent instability there, which is vital for Turkey's national security,' he added. Turkey is already training and advising Syrian armed forces, and told Reuters in June that it has no plans to withdraw Turkish troops currently stationed in Syria. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Having long supported Syrian opposition to Bashar al-Assad, Turkey has become a key supporter of the interim Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, which has emerged following Assad's fall in December. The request follows violent clashes between Druze and Bedouin militias in Syria's southern Sweida region last week that resulted in over 1,000 deaths, and precipitated further Israeli intervention within Syrian territory. The 'bigger strategic problem' Turkey has been a strong critic of the recent Israeli interventions in Syria, including those near a strategic air base in the city of Hama, where Israel has accused Turkey of exploring military interests. 'The bigger strategic problem in the region is Israel's attempt to invade the region,' Erdogan said on 20 July. 'Israel strives to set the entire region on fire, but Syria's stance cautiously reined in this process,' he added. However, Turkey has so far been hesitant to offer full-scale defence support to the Syrian government, holding talks in April with the Israeli government over the establishment of a deconfliction line aimed at avoiding direct confrontation between the Turkish and Israeli militaries. An American-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Syria was announced by US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack on 19 July. Barrack told Associated Press earlier this week that the US has 'no position' on a potential defence pact between Syria and Turkey. Syrian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store