Sweida commemorates victims of July events amid calls to reveal fate of missing persons

Al-Karama Square in Sweida hosted a vigil on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the July massacres and commemorate their victims, with the participation of large crowds of martyrs' families, as well as members of the National Guard and Internal Security Forces.

Participants carried photographs of those killed in the July events alongside pictures of detainees and missing persons, as well as banners calling for justice for the victims and accountability for those responsible for the violations. They also raised Druze flags and portraits of Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the sheikh of the Druze community.

An atmosphere of silence, solemnity, and mourning prevailed throughout the square as participants renewed their calls for justice and for the fate of the missing to be clarified, recalling the events that took place in the governorate a year ago.

The vigil also featured a musical performance of a song by victim Tala al-Shoufi, in an emotional moment marked by tears and quiet resilience as the families, particularly the mothers of the victims, relived memories of their loss and grief.

Participants said the commemoration was an expression of loyalty to the victims' sacrifices and a reaffirmation of their commitment to the victims' rights. They stressed the importance of preserving the collective memory and ensuring that the events are not consigned to history without justice being served and the fate of detainees and missing persons being established.

The vigil was part of a series of events held in Sweida over recent days to mark the first anniversary of the July events. The activities included public vigils, community initiatives, and calls to designate the anniversary as a day of mourning, reaffirming continued demands for truth and justice while honoring the memory of those killed during the events.

The vigil concluded with renewed calls for justice for the victims, clarification of the fate of detainees and missing persons, and accountability for those responsible for the violations. The gathering was marked by a profound sense of grief, coupled with a firm determination to keep the victims' memory alive in the governorate's collective consciousness.

ANHA