Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: 1,311 Killed in Suwayda Clashes
The English section of webangah News Agency, citing mehr News Agency and al Jazeera Network, has published new preliminary casualty figures from the bloody seven-day conflict in Syria between armed Druze factions on one side and the Ministry of Defense and Interior security forces backed by local Bedouin tribes on the other.
According to this report, since Sunday morning, July 13, an unprecedented massacre has claimed approximately 1,311 lives.Of these,196 were executed extrajudicially on site.
The Observatory detailed casualties among local and security forces as follows:
- 637 residents of Suwayda killed-including 104 civilians-among them six children and sixteen women.
- 456 members of security and military personnel killed; this group includes 32 tribal fighters from the region.
- 15 forces affiliated with the Ministry of Defense and interior loyal to Golani’s authority died during Israeli regime attacks.
- Three unidentified individuals-including one woman-were killed in missile strikes by Israeli warplanes targeting Syria’s Ministry of Defense.
- One journalist lost their life amid the clashes.
- 196 people were executed on-site by Golani faction shooters during these confrontations; among them were 28 women and eight children.
- Three tribal members-one woman and one child included-were also summarily executed by Druze fighters on location.
A Fragile Ceasefire in Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights further emphasized that since july 21 a fragile ceasefire has been enforced under U.S. supervision across conflict zones.nevertheless, concerns persist about potential renewed fighting.
This ceasefire stipulates that Druze forces must release around 1,300 tribal prisoners without conditions. In exchange, the opposing side is required to free 110 Druze detainees within a 48-hour timeframe.
Episodic Resumption of Fighting Continues
Despite this agreement, clashes persisted until Tuesday with renewed tensions in al-Umm al-zaytoun and Shahba areas causing four tribal deaths. This occurred even while Israeli regime warplanes patrolled over Shahba’s skies.
Call for International Investigation into Crimes in Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights urged establishing an independent international inquiry to investigate violations and widespread crimes committed throughout suwayda. The organization stressed holding all perpetrators accountable regardless of affiliation to achieve justice for victims involved in these tragic events.