Al-Swaida
The spiritual leader of the Druze Muslim community in Syria, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, has warned of the dire consequences of the ongoing military escalation on the Syrian coast.
In a statement on Saturday, March 8th, Al-Hijri stressed the urgent need for rational intervention from all sides to immediately halt the bloodshed, stressing that any party responsible for the violence must be held accountable under the rule of the law, judiciary, and justice, without resorting to of violence and revenge.
Al-Hijri also warned against the devastating repercussions of escalation when innocent lives are mercilessly lost and people are forced to flee, seeking shelter from the flames of ruthless war, calling for adherence to international law and norms.
The statement underscored that sectarian-driven conflict will consume and burn all of Syria and its people, urging local and international bodies and the United Nations to take immediate action to stop the fighting and promote peace without bias or double standards.
He stated, “All parties are brothers and sons of this country, and we regret every point of the blood of the day, because it is a loss to the whole of Syria,” and said, “We are all people and all brothers and our solace to the homeland in great pain.”
All parties involved are brothers and sons of this country, he stated, adding “We grieve for every drop of blood split, as it is a loss to all of Syria. We are all human, all brothers, and we share in the homeland’s deep pain”.
Al-Hijri also called for an end to systematic incitement campaigns that have persisted since the fall of the former regime, demanding a ceasefire and urging everyone to be advocates for peace and love, upholding justice and humanity under the principle of a faith that calls for love and peace.
The governorates of Latakia and Tartus, in western Syria, have witnessed intense clashes over the past two days following an attack by “remnants” of the Assad regime on several locations. In response, the Department of Military Operations and Public Security launched military operations, regaining control of the governorates amid reports of human rights violations.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported on Friday, March 7th, that 125 civilians were killed in Latakia, Tartus and Hama by Public Security under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Syrian Transitional government. The report also noted that more than 50 civilians were killed by extrajudicial executions.
Additionally, the network reported that the “remnants” of the ousted regime killed 100 members of government security forces and 15 civilians in Latakia governorate. 40 civilians were executed in a single location in the village of Al-Mukhtariyah in Latakia countryside, while 10 more were killed in the town of Al-Haffa.
