Syrian Authorities Detain Security Personnel Over Sectarian Massacre
In a significant development, members of Syria's security and military services have been detained as part of an official investigation into brutal sectarian violence that erupted in the southern province of Sweida in July. The violence resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths, with the majority being from the Druze community.
Investigation Reveals Security Force Involvement
Judge Hatem Naasan, who leads the government-appointed investigative committee, confirmed the detentions during a news conference held in the capital, Damascus, on Sunday. He stated that the committee had achieved "positive results" after listening to numerous people affected by the violence, including witnesses and victims.
Naasan revealed that the authorities had detained members of the security services and military "who were proven to have committed violations based on investigations of the committee and videos posted on social media platforms." He emphasised that the videos clearly showed the faces of the perpetrators, leading to their apprehension.
The detained security members are being held by the Interior Ministry, while military personnel are in the custody of the Defence Ministry. After questioning, all have been referred to judicial authorities. Judge Naasan did not disclose the exact number of individuals detained.
Graphic Violence and Its Aftermath
The mid-July clashes began when armed groups affiliated with Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri fought with local Bedouin clans. Government forces intervened, effectively siding with the Bedouins. The conflict descended into horrific violence against civilians.
Videos that surfaced online depicted shocking acts, including armed men killing Druze civilians who were kneeling in public squares and shaving the mustaches off elderly men in deliberate acts of humiliation. These graphic recordings played a crucial role in the investigation.
In response to the atrocities, many residents in Sweida are now demanding some form of autonomy within a federal system. A smaller faction is calling for complete partition from the central government.
Judge Naasan downplayed the involvement of foreign fighters, stating that while some were detained and questioned, they had acted individually and were not members of the Syrian armed or security forces. The final report, including a confirmed death toll, is expected by the end of the year.
