Corpses of elderly people, women, and children in streets... horrific scenes in Sweida

Since July 13, Sweida and its countryside have witnessed a horrific military escalation that, according to the latest statistics from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, has resulted in the deaths of 1,311 people, including 196 who were summarily executed. Civilian property has been looted amidst widespread chaos and total destruction.

Photos and videos captured by ANHA agency reveal the scale of the horrific humanitarian catastrophe caused by this escalation. Bodies are lying in the streets and hospitals, most of them elderly, women, and children, some with their heads severed or limbs severed, in scenes that highlight the horrific crimes committed and the depth of the human tragedy.

Horrific scenes from Sweida and its countryside reveal that the victims were overwhelmingly unarmed civilians. The images reveal widespread destruction of civilian property, burning infrastructure, and extensive damage to vehicles. These developments come amidst security tensions and a military escalation between the transitional government forces on the one hand and the local Druze military forces on the other, leading to violent attacks against civilians, including massacres, looting, and theft.

Local sources and repeated footage published by armed groups affiliated with the transitional government confirm its direct involvement in these crimes, as human rights activists and local activists in Sweida point out. These images demonstrate the extent of the violations and massacres committed by forces considered responsible for the worsening humanitarian and security situation in the region.

The agency refrains from publishing the images documenting these massacres out of respect for their sensitivity and the ethical and professional concerns of journalism. However, they remain available to relevant and human rights authorities for review when needed, to enhance investigation efforts and hold those responsible accountable. These crimes constitute a flagrant violation of human rights and war crimes, for which the perpetrators must be held accountable.

Sh-S

ANHA