Amnesty calls for release of abducted humanitarian worker in Suwayda
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – Amnesty International on Wednesday called on a Druze armed group in southern Syria’s Suwayda Governorate to immediately release humanitarian worker Hamza al-Amareen, who was abducted three months ago while on a mission to assist civilians affected by recent clashes.
Al-Amareen, born in 1992, serves as the head of the Emergency Response Center in Daraa with the Syria Civil Defence (White Helmets), a humanitarian search-and-rescue organization operating across opposition-held areas. On July 16, 2025, he traveled to Suwayda in response to a United Nations call for humanitarian assistance after fighting broke out between Syrian government forces and local Druze armed groups.
According to the organization, al-Amareen was abducted shortly after his arrival by members of an armed faction controlling parts of the governorate. Since then, his fate and whereabouts remain unknown.
In a statement, Amnesty International urged the group to disclose his location and condition and to release him without delay, stressing that humanitarian workers must be protected under international humanitarian law. “Hamza al-Amareen was deployed to save lives, not to be taken hostage,” the statement said.
The Syria Civil Defence condemned the abduction, describing al-Amareen as a committed first responder who had risked his life numerous times during search and rescue missions in southern Syria. The organization called on all parties to respect the neutrality of humanitarian personnel.
As of mid-October, neither the abducting faction nor the Syrian government has released any information regarding al-Amareen’s detention or condition. Human rights advocates continue to demand accountability and the safe return of the humanitarian worker to his family.