Participants raised banners with slogans such as: “International investigation into the crimes committed in Sweida,” “Sweida under siege – no water, no medicine, no food, no electricity, no fuel,” and “We stand with the women of Sweida; hundreds of women missing, 1800 killed, 200,000 displaced, 1000 missing including women, children, and families, 29 days under siege.” Shiraz Al-Shaarani from Sweida told Sputnik: “Initially, the town where my family lives was attacked; they entered homes and broke doors. Some residents were slaughtered, others shot dead. My aunt was defending her home and tried to stop them from entering, but they shot her dead. More than three-quarters of the town was burned and its people killed, and those who managed to escape survived. My brother was killed by a sniper in Sweida,” she continued. “Sweida is destroyed, there is no medicine, no food, no water. Children are traumatized by the scenes they’ve witnessed. Humanitarian corridors must be opened, and the kidnapped must return, including my cousins, relatives, and neighbors. The Human Rights Organization must act, as it is our right to recover the kidnapped women, children, and elders,” she said. Activist Nasreen Zain Al-Din emphasized: “We came today to demand that the United Nations, with all its bodies and institutions, act urgently and effectively to conduct a fair and transparent international investigation into the crimes in Sweida and hold those responsible accountable. Also, to secure safe humanitarian corridors to ensure aid reaches the affected without obstacles. We also demand the protection of civilians, especially children and women, from any future assault and the return of prisoners and detainees unconditionally.” She added: “We also stress supporting reconciliation and justice efforts according to international standards as called for in the recent Security Council statement. The world’s silence on these massacres is a betrayal of justice, and ignoring the suffering of innocents is a blatant violation of all the values on which the United Nations was founded. We only ask for what is right for every human: safety, dignity, and accountability,” she said. At the end of the stand, participants handed a message to a UN representative addressed to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, containing their demands raised during the movement. It is worth mentioning that last month Sweida witnessed a wide-scale attack launched by tribal militants that lasted several days, resulting in fierce clashes with local militants, which led to the destruction and burning of more than 30 villages and the displacement of their populations, in addition to hundreds of deaths and injuries. The transitional Syrian government announced the formation of a local investigation committee to look into the violations committed by armed groups and some government elements, pledging to hold those responsible accountable and bring them to specialized courts upon the completion of investigations. On July 19, the Syrian presidency announced a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire in Sweida, calling on all parties, without exception, to “fully adhere to this decision and immediately cease all hostilities in all areas, ensuring the protection of civilians and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.”
