“Coastal criminals commit the same crimes in Suwayda”

The attack by groups affiliated with the Syrian transitional government on the city of Suwayda and its countryside on July 13 severely undermined security in the region. Following the entry of these groups into the city and its surroundings, numerous images of killings, looting, and abductions of women spread widely.

According to human rights activists and local activists from Suwayda, 80 women have been confirmed missing so far. However, Roken Ahmed told ANHA agency that this number is higher, but due to the lack of security in the area, a precise figure has not been obtained.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced the death toll in Suwayda and its countryside has reached 1,265 to date. The International Organization for Migration, affiliated with the United Nations, also reported in a statement that 128,571 people have been displaced since the start of the attack on Suwayda.

Call from the Women of Suwayda

Roken Ahmed explained that the women of the region and their comrades in Suwayda demand efforts to uncover the fate of the missing women. She also emphasized the urgent need to address security and humanitarian assistance, specifically providing emergency medical supplies, water, and humanitarian aid, along with ceasing hostilities and opening humanitarian corridors to deliver this aid.

At the same time, Suwayda residents stress that the rumors circulating on social media alleging “Druze attacking Bedouins” are false, asserting that this campaign is intended to tarnish the Druze community and justify the massacres committed against them.

The people of Suwayda also indicated that they had previously called for a decentralized system as a demand, but now they insist on it more firmly, stating that they cannot live under a Salafi regime.

Continuation of the Same Crimes on the Coast

Roken Ahmed also commented on the situation of women in the coastal region, saying: “The abduction of women on the coast has continued since December 8, 2024, and the fate of more than 20,000 people remains unknown. Families of the abducted women fear providing any information due to threats to their lives. Even women who have been released cannot provide evidence or information to women’s institutions or the media because of the threats they face.”

She accused the Syrian transitional government, saying: “These incidents fall under the responsibility of the transitional government. Its exclusive rhetoric fuels conflict and imposes an identity on the other. A report on coastal violations was submitted to Ahmad Al-Shara’, yet despite all these crimes, no perpetrators have been held accountable. Now, the same individuals are repeating these acts in Suwayda.”

So far, some delegations from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria have communicated with the transitional government. Despite efforts by women’s organizations, the Syrian Advisory Council, of which the Star Conference is a member, attempted to engage with them regarding the situation of women but received no response.

Roken Ahmed pointed to the organization of some women-led events, marches, and statements concerning the status of women in Suwayda, as well as statements issued by women’s organizations at the Middle East level. However, she stated that this is insufficient and called for larger and broader activities.

ANHA