logo
Syria's Druze grieve amid sectarian violence with Bedouin tribes

Syria's Druze grieve amid sectarian violence with Bedouin tribes

Hatem Radwan stared at the bloodstained floor and cushions in the Al-Radwan guest house in Syria's Druze city of Sweida, still wondering how he survived the shooting spree more than a week ago that killed his relatives and friends.
'I'm not sleeping. I wish I would have died; it would have been better for me,' the 70-year-old said, stating two of his sons-in-law and his daughter's father-in-law were killed when armed men stormed into the guest house on July 16.
Hundreds of people were killed in days of sectarian violence in Syria's Sweida province, where government forces were sent to quell clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin tribes.
Syria's defence ministry on July 22 said it would investigate reports of an 'unknown group' in military fatigues committing 'shocking and gross violations' in Sweida and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The interior ministry condemned 'the circulating videos showing field executions carried out by unidentified individuals in the city of Sweida,' and also pledged to conduct a probe.
Residents, monitoring groups and reporters in the province said the violence intensified after security forces deployed, reporting several cases of execution-style killings.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Syria to hold parliamentary elections in September, first since Assad's fall
Syria to hold parliamentary elections in September, first since Assad's fall

South China Morning Post

time6 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Syria to hold parliamentary elections in September, first since Assad's fall

Syria will hold parliamentary elections in September, the head of a body tasked with organising the election process told state media on Sunday. Advertisement Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, chairman of the Higher Committee for People's Assembly Elections, told state news agency SANA that elections will take place between September 15 and 20. They will be the first to take place under the country's new authorities after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in a lightning rebel offensive in December. One third of the 210 seats will be appointed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, with the rest to be elected. In a recent interview with the Erem News site, another member of the elections committee, Hassan al-Daghim, said an electoral college will be set up in each of Syria's provinces to vote for the elected seats. Advertisement A temporary constitution signed by al-Sharaa in March called for a People's Committee to be set up to serve as an interim parliament until a permanent constitution is adopted and general elections held, a process that could take years.

Syria's Druze grieve amid sectarian violence with Bedouin tribes
Syria's Druze grieve amid sectarian violence with Bedouin tribes

South China Morning Post

time12 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Syria's Druze grieve amid sectarian violence with Bedouin tribes

Hatem Radwan stared at the bloodstained floor and cushions in the Al-Radwan guest house in Syria's Druze city of Sweida, still wondering how he survived the shooting spree more than a week ago that killed his relatives and friends. 'I'm not sleeping. I wish I would have died; it would have been better for me,' the 70-year-old said, stating two of his sons-in-law and his daughter's father-in-law were killed when armed men stormed into the guest house on July 16. Hundreds of people were killed in days of sectarian violence in Syria's Sweida province, where government forces were sent to quell clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin tribes. Syria's defence ministry on July 22 said it would investigate reports of an 'unknown group' in military fatigues committing 'shocking and gross violations' in Sweida and hold the perpetrators accountable. The interior ministry condemned 'the circulating videos showing field executions carried out by unidentified individuals in the city of Sweida,' and also pledged to conduct a probe. Residents, monitoring groups and reporters in the province said the violence intensified after security forces deployed, reporting several cases of execution-style killings.

Can Asean mediate Thailand-Cambodia tensions? Growing violence tests peace mandate
Can Asean mediate Thailand-Cambodia tensions? Growing violence tests peace mandate

South China Morning Post

time3 days ago

  • South China Morning Post

Can Asean mediate Thailand-Cambodia tensions? Growing violence tests peace mandate

As deadly clashes erupt along Thailand and Cambodia 's disputed border, questions are resurfacing over whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) can live up to its mandate to preserve peace among its members. Analysts say the escalating violence is also exposing the bloc's limited tools for intervention. While some urge urgent mediation and a return to dialogue, others argue Asean has been sidelined from the outset – raising concerns that nationalist politics and diplomatic inertia could allow the conflict to spiral further. At least 12 people have been killed in recent fighting , with Thai and Cambodian troops exchanging gunfire, rocket fire and shelling across multiple points of the 820km frontier. Most of the casualties were civilians from Thailand's three border provinces, according to Bangkok's defence ministry. The two countries traded blame for the attacks that erupted early on Thursday near the disputed Ta Moan Thom Temple, where troops exchanged gunfire, shelling and rocket fire, hours after Thailand accused Cambodia of leaving landmines that injured Thai soldiers, which Phnom Penh denied. 04:06 Tensions along Thailand-Cambodia border boil over as soldiers open fire Tensions along Thailand-Cambodia border boil over as soldiers open fire Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim , whose country currently chairs Asean, urged both sides to 'stand down' and resume talks, calling the situation 'concerning' given the historic ties and regional responsibilities of both nations.

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