Claims of Massacre at Suweida Hospital Emerge Amid Sectarian Violence in Syria

Recent accusations against the Syrian government suggest a brutal massacre at a hospital in Suweida, where doctors and witnesses claim patients were shot in their beds during sectarian violence.

 

In the southern Syrian province of Druze-majority Suweida, a seemingly escalating conflict has led to shocking allegations of a massacre at the National Hospital. As violence erupted over a week ago, Syrian government forces have come under fire for purportedly targeting and killing patients within the hospital's wards.

Upon visiting the hospital, our correspondent was met with a dreadful scene: numerous corpses wrapped in white bags littering the parking lot, the surrounding area permeated by a horrific smell of decay and blood. Dr. Wissam Massoud, a neurosurgeon, described the events as a massacre, stating, "The soldiers came here saying they wanted to bring peace, but they killed scores of patients, from very young to the very old."

In graphic video footage shared by Dr. Massoud, a nurse is seen documenting the aftermath of the chaos, with deceased patients lying in their blood-stained beds. Hospital volunteer Kiness Abu Motab emphasized the brutal reality faced by the victims, who were predominantly from the small Druze religious community. "What is their crime? Just for being a minority in a democratic country?" he lamented.

Witnesses outside the hospital shared horror-stricken stories, with one local teacher recounting the tragedy of an eight-year-old disabled boy shot in the head while lying in his bed. Assertions have emerged that all factions involved in the conflict are solely to blame for the relentless cycle of violence, though precise casualty figures remain ambiguous. Estimates suggest over 300 may have died in the siege, though this is yet unverified.

The Syrian defense ministry acknowledged the "shocking violations" reports, promising comprehensive investigations into the allegations. However, due to stringent access restrictions in Suweida, acquiring firsthand accounts of the situation has proven difficult.

Past battles between Druze and Bedouin fighters led to the government's intervention, ostensibly in pursuit of a ceasefire. Suweida city, which is home to over 70,000 residents, is still under the control of the Druze community. Amidst the chaos, young Hala al-Khatib, only eight, was found injured and alone, her parents reportedly killed. She showed visible wounds, including a bandaged face and an apparent loss of sight in one eye.

These developments elevate the concern regarding a humanitarian crisis emerging within the region, as international bodies express alarm over potential summary executions and war crimes during the current unrest.