In an impassioned open letter, Sheikh Sami Abi al-Mona, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Lebanon, has called on world leaders, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations to immediately intervene to stop what he described as a “massacre” unfolding in the Syrian province of Sweida.
Addressing “the kings, presidents, and heads of state with influence over the Syrian situation,” Sheikh Abi al-Mona denounced what he called crimes committed against the residents of Sweida — a predominantly Druze region in southern Syria — amid recent waves of violence and military escalation.
“In the name of every slaughtered child, grieving mother, assaulted woman, humiliated elder, and student whose future was shattered by barbarism and hatred,” the Sheikh pleaded, “we urge immediate action to stop the bloodshed.”
He condemned what he described as war crimes and human rights violations, including indiscriminate killings, looting, and attacks on civilians, particularly women and children. The sheikh also denounced the targeting of cultural and religious symbols, warning that such acts amount to a systematic campaign of terror and dehumanization.
While acknowledging the Syrian state’s right to assert its sovereignty, Sheikh Abi al-Mona criticized the government’s recent military operations in Sweida and the involvement of extremist groups “under the guise of restoring order.”
“Those who objected to the entry of state forces into Sweida feared exactly what has now occurred,” he said, pointing to reports of violence perpetrated by radical and lawless elements.
The letter calls for:
– Immediate cessation of hostilities and protection of civilians in Sweida and surrounding villages.
- Lifting the siege on the region to allow basic supplies and aid to reach the population.
- International mediation to guarantee ceasefires and secure agreements that would ensure peace, security, and the right of the Druze community to live in dignity and practice their faith freely.
- Swift global response, bypassing the "slow mechanisms of committees and negotiations," to prevent the collapse of peace in Syria and the broader region.
“We entrust our plea to God and to you,” the letter concludes, “for you bear the reward if you act — and the blame if you fail.”
The appeal comes as fighting intensifies in Sweida between local Druze factions and Syrian government forces, raising fears of further ethnic and sectarian escalation. Humanitarian organizations have warned of a growing crisis as thousands flee their homes amid the violence.
Comments