ICAD Facts provides a detailed temporal and spatial analysis to answer crucial questions surrounding the Sweida National Hospital massacre, which occurred on July 16, 2025.
The investigation aims to determine responsibility—Druze factions or Syrian security forces?—and whether casualties were limited to Druze civilians only.
Events before the massacre: July 15
The ICAD investigation began tracing events from July 15, the day before the massacre, focusing on the location of the hospital and verifying circulated video footage.
- 5:06 PM (Syria time): A video emerged of Druze fighters announcing their control of several neighborhoods in Sweida Governorate and their encirclement of a large number of Syrian security forces inside the Sweida National Hospital. One Druze fighter stated that they were heading to "trample the security forces." Geolocation analysis revealed that this video was filmed approximately 220 meters from the hospital.
- 6:37 PM: The page of journalist Wahid Yazbek published a video in which a Druze fighter talks about their liberation of the city. It turned out that the video was filmed in front of the Tourist Hotel in Sweida, about 1.4 km from the hospital.
- Less than an hour later: The Sweida News page published another video showing Druze elements seizing the Sweida Governorate Police Command building, located near the hotel and only 2 km from the hospital (a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk).
- 7:53 PM: Another video was monitored, posted by a Druze fighter named Mamoun Adwan, in front of Sweida Hospital. Analysis showed that the white sign that appeared read "Entrance to the Obstetrics Department from the South Gate," confirming his presence in front of the hospital.
July 15 Summary: By the end of the day, Druze fighters effectively controlled the National Hospital Street, from the Tourist Hotel and the police station in the north, to the Green Corner store in the south, located 220 meters from the hospital. In the videos they documented, Druze faction members spoke of besieging the General Security forces inside the National Hospital and that they were on their way to eliminate them.
Day of the Massacre: July 16
ICAD continued to track the events leading up to and during the massacre on July 16.
- Around 12:20 PM: The Syrian Axis 24 page published a video, which it said showed an attack by Druze factions on the National Hospital in Sweida.
- About two hours later: Marwan Kiwan, a Druze sheikh in Sweida, stated in a press interview that the fighters had managed to eliminate the security personnel who had barricaded themselves inside the hospital. Kiwan described the Syrian General Security forces as "terrorists and ISIS members of al-Baghdadi."
- 3:14 PM: Urgent appeals began to circulate from inside the hospital. This coincided with information from the Syrian Ministry of Defense, reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) before the massacre, indicating that armed groups were stationed in the National Hospital in Sweida and using it as a launching pad for attacks and sniper fire on Syrian government forces. The Ministry of Defense reiterated its calls to neutralize the hospital and allow medical personnel to enter.
- After 4:00 PM: Syrian social media accounts began reporting that government forces had taken control of the hospital and were pursuing al-Hajri-affiliated factions.
- 7:42 PM: Videos of the bodies and the massacre that took place in the hospital began circulating, with images of personnel wearing Syrian security and army uniforms.
The Syrian Ministry of Health confirmed the discovery of dozens of bodies of General Security personnel and civilians.
Evidence tracked and analyzed by ICAD chronologically indicates the following:
- Druze factions surrounded the hospital, which, according to their statements, housed members of the army and General Security.
- These factions subsequently took control of the hospital, with their admissions of eliminating the personnel inside. In the following hours, the Syrian government took control of the hospital.
Subsequently, the massacres and bodies inside the hospital were revealed, including civilians and members of the Syrian security and military.
Zaman Al-Wasl
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