Sheikh al-Hijri appeals to US, 'Israel' to stop ‘genocide’ in Sweida
3 Min Read
Sheikh al-Hijri urges global and regional powers to act swiftly, warning that the Druze of Sweida face annihilation.
-
Syrian government forces gather at Mazraa village on the outskirts of Sweida city, southern Syria, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 (AP )
Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri issued an urgent appeal on Wednesday to US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, calling for immediate international intervention to halt what he described as a 'genocidal campaign' in the city of Sweida.
“Our people are being massacred in cold blood, and the killer does not distinguish between child or elder,” the statement declared.
The prominent Druze cleric condemned the new Syrian regime’s military crackdown, stating that “the mask has fallen from the face of the ruling regime,” and placed full humanitarian and moral responsibility on the international community for its failure to act.
The statement also urged Sunni religious authorities and communities to “take a clear position on what is happening to their Syrian brothers,” warning, “We can no longer live under a regime that governs only through iron and fire.”
Former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, called on Tuesday on Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, to take a “historic stance” and reveal the identities of those who pressured him, arguing that the time has come to put an end to wavering positions.
Jumblatt also acknowledged positive engagement from what he described as "national Arab factions" in Sweida, despite some violations. He advocated for a full reconciliation process with Bedouin tribes, including the handover of weapons and integration into a broader national settlement.
“We support a political solution, disarmament in Sweida, and reconciliation with the Bedouin under the authority of the state,” he stated.
Reports of looting, raids, and summary executions
Local sources inside Sweida have reported a wave of brutal violence carried out under a near-total media blackout. Residents say armed groups have been storming homes, looting private property, and executing civilians on the spot.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror: field executions of individuals who refused to hand over car keys or valuables, with bodies left in the streets. The intensity of the fighting has prevented families from retrieving or burying their dead and blocked rescue services from reaching the wounded.
According to medical sources, emergency rooms in the city are overwhelmed with scores of injured civilians, including women and children, many of whom are in critical condition. Indiscriminate gunfire and shelling of residential areas have devastated neighborhoods, with no apparent safe zones remaining.
Humanitarian crisis worsens amid blackout
Sweida is now under a full power outage, compounding the severity of the humanitarian crisis. The blackout has crippled rescue operations, disrupted the flow of food and medical supplies, and cut off communications.
Local health workers and volunteers have issued desperate appeals for international assistance as the situation continues to deteriorate by the hour.
Despite calls for a ceasefire earlier this week, the violence has escalated dramatically, with no indication of intervention from external powers. Israeli warplanes have reportedly been seen flying over the area, and airstrikes have been confirmed lately.
