An American citizen from Oklahoma was amongst eight males, all members of the family, rounded up and killed in an execution-style assault in the course of the sectarian violence that flared in Syria final week.
Hosam Saraya, a 35-year-old Syrian-American, was recognized by good friend Bahaa Imad and a US relative as considered one of eight males whose killing was captured on a video that circulated on social media over the weekend.
The video, which has been geolocated by CNN, exhibits a gaggle of armed males carrying navy uniforms and face masks firing on eight captives whereas shouting “God is nice.”
CNN can’t independently confirm the establish of the gunmen within the video. It has reached out to the Syrian authorities for remark.
Saraya’s brother Kareem and different members of the family have been additionally executed, in line with the US relative, who requested to not be named for her security. She spoke immediately with family members in Syria who stated the household’s male members had all been killed – leaving solely their wives and daughters.
The killings occurred on July 17 amid an outbreak of sectarian violence between Syrian Druze teams and Bedouin tribes within the Druze-majority Suwayda province.
Saraya, who had studied in Oklahoma earlier than returning to Syria, belonged to the Druze group, an Arab non secular group of roughly a million individuals who primarily dwell in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. He had gone to Syria to look after his father who was sick, the US relative stated.
The relative stated feminine members of the family who survived the bloodbath recalled how militants had stormed the household’s multi-story residence early within the morning, prompting the residents to struggle again in protection.
After one of many members of the family was wounded, the remainder surrendered their weapons, she stated, and the boys have been taken outdoors.
Bahaa Imad, a 20-year-old good friend of the Saraya household, corroborated these particulars, saying he witnessed the militants storm the house and forcibly take away eight males, whereas leaving feminine members of the family inside.
‘Pray for us’
The US relative first realized of the assault when one of many feminine survivors despatched her a determined message: “Pray for us, they kidnapped the boys, they shot the home, they stole stuff”.
Twelve hours handed because the household desperately waited for information, hoping their family members would return safely. It wasn’t till one other abroad relative noticed the movies circulating of their execution that they realized the eight males had been killed.
Imad stated family members later instructed him the captives have been marched 200 meters to Tishreen Sq., the place they have been lined up and executed. One of many males had despatched a last message to associates that learn, “Come and assist us for those who can. They surrounded us,” Imad stated.
Imad recognized Hosam Saraya’s physique after watching the video.
“I don’t know the way monsters can do this,” the US relative instructed CNN.
Requested about Saraya, the US State Division confirmed Monday that an American citizen had died in Suwayda.
It didn’t provide particulars concerning the demise however stated it was “enormously involved when any US citizen is harmed abroad, wherever they’re” and referred to as “for accountability in all instances the place US residents are harmed overseas.”
Oklahoma Sens. James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin additionally confirmed the killing of an American from the state in Syria.
“Hosam was an Oklahoman and member of the Druze group who was tragically executed alongside different members of his household in Syria,” Lankford wrote on X. “We’re praying for his household, associates, and your entire group as they grieve this mindless loss.”
Mullin wrote on X that an “American citizen from Oklahoma” was “brutally executed alongside his members of the family in Syria,” including he was working with companions within the area to study extra. His tweet didn’t identify the Saraya household.
Widespread violence between the Druze minority and Bedouin tribes in southern Syria erupted on July 13 and has left tons of useless within the newest explosion of sectarian bloodletting for the reason that authoritarian rule of Bashar al-Assad was toppled by a coalition of Islamist rebels.
The violence drew Israeli intervention in assist of the Druze, in addition to US condemnation and a world scramble to cease the combating spiraling additional.
The Syrian authorities stated over the weekend that clashes in Suwayda had stopped after a ceasefire settlement was reached between the federal government, Druze teams, and Bedouin tribes.
A separate ceasefire was agreed between Syria and Israel. The deal was introduced by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who stated it was “embraced” by Turkey, Jordan and different neighboring nations.
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