{"id":127731,"date":"2025-07-29T06:52:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T06:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=127731"},"modified":"2025-07-29T06:52:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T06:52:52","slug":"suwayda-shrine-becomes-refuge-for-idp-druze-families-amid-fierce-clashes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/127731\/","title":{"rendered":"Suwayda shrine becomes refuge for IDP Druze families amid fierce clashes\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Haroun al-Arbid<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) \u2013 <\/strong>The Ain al-Zaman shrine, the spiritual heart of the Druze community in the city of Suwayda, southern Syria, has been transformed into an emergency shelter for families displaced by some of the fiercest fighting the area has seen in years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Displaced residents described the recent events in their western Suwayda villages as a \u201csystematic invasion,\u201d with forces of the Syrian transitional government reportedly using tanks, heavy artillery, and light arms in attacks that burned homes, killed civilians, and forced thousands to flee on foot toward the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimal assistance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Those now sheltering at Ain al-Zaman\u2014a site traditionally revered as the highest religious authority for the Druze in Syria\u2014are enduring harsh conditions, lacking food, bedding, and basic necessities. The shrine\u2019s caretakers say they are overwhelmed and unable to meet the growing humanitarian needs, relying solely on donations from local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haneidi al-Halabi, a displaced man from the town of Tha\u2019la, recounted his experience through tears as he sat on the shrine\u2019s floor: \u201cOn Wednesday, July 16, they stormed in with everything\u2014tanks, rocket launchers, heavy weapons. They didn\u2019t come to fight armed men. They came to kill civilians… We fled with nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now surviving on food and water provided by the local community, al-Halabi pleaded with the United Nations and the international community: \u201cSave us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rare escalation in Suwayda<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While Suwayda had remained largely insulated from Syria\u2019s broader civil war, the past two weeks have seen a dramatic escalation. What began as a kidnapping incident triggered clashes between Druze factions and armed Bedouin groups, which quickly escalated with the involvement of government forces. Each side has since accused the other of perpetrating atrocities, including killings and forced displacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite a fragile ceasefire in place for the past ten days, disturbing scenes continue to emerge. Eyewitnesses have reported summary executions in the streets, and the city\u2019s national hospital is reportedly overwhelmed with bodies. Meanwhile, essential services such as water, electricity, flour, and fuel are said to be nearly unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harrowing testimonies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lou’ay al-Halabi, from the village of Hazm, said: \u201cThis isn\u2019t security enforcement\u2014it\u2019s slaughter. They drove tanks over cars. People were butchered before our eyes. Now we sleep on bare floors without food or blankets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sumayya al-Yousef, a woman in her fifties from the village of al-Majimer, added: \u201cWhat kind of government uses tanks and artillery on its own people? We are peaceful Druze. We never took up arms. Why are they slaughtering us? Not even wild beasts act like this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ayman Ghaith, from the village of Walgha, described a coordinated nighttime attack: \u201cThey were organized. It felt like a military operation backed by foreign powers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All those interviewed by North Press appealed for urgent humanitarian aid and safe return to their homes, calling for protection from further attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The caretakers of Ain al-Zaman emphasized that the shrine, long a symbol of peace and spirituality, has now become a last haven for survivors of a deadly onslaught. They urged humanitarian organizations to step in and support those who have found refuge at this sacred site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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