Syrian human rights defenders have renewed their calls for an independent investigation into the violent incidents that broke out in July in Suwayda province—home mostly to Druze—after the release yesterday, Sunday, of a video showing government forces executing a volunteer rescuer in a hospital in a summary manner.

The violent clashes in the southern province erupted on July 13 between Druze and Bedouin tribes. They escalated in the following days with the intervention of outside forces—including units sent by Damascus—with the final death toll reaching nearly 1,400, among them many Druze civilians.

The Syrian de facto authorities stated that they sent forces to restore order, but eyewitnesses, Druze organizations, and the NGO Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged that these forces sided with the Bedouin fighters and committed atrocities against the Druze, including summary executions.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show civilians being killed by armed men wearing army or internal security uniforms.

The local media outlet Suwayda24 in particular published on X a video it says came from CCTV cameras at the province’s main hospital on July 16.

In the footage, a group of people—apparently staff members—are seen gathered, sitting on the floor of a corridor. Armed men in army and Interior Ministry uniforms are giving them orders. Suddenly, a brief scuffle breaks out between a young man—whom the outlet describes as a “volunteer from the medical team”—and members of the government forces. At least two of them can be seen shooting him, the first with a semi-automatic rifle, the second with a pistol. One of the gunmen then drags the body away along the floor, leaving a trail of blood.

The Syrian authorities did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.

A man in his thirties—who appears in the video—told AFP by phone that he had responded to a call from the hospital asking for volunteers to help. He confirmed “the incident,” which took place “on July 16.”

A doctor at the Suwayda general state hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the incident and assured that the footage came from inside the healthcare facility.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reposted the video, calling it a “shocking summary execution” carried out by “members of the Defense and Interior ministries’ forces.”

It demanded that those responsible be held accountable and that “an international, independent, and impartial commission” investigate the incidents in Suwayda.

Fadel Abdul Ghani, executive director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, demanded that the authorities take action “immediately” and called for an international, independent UN commission to enter the country to “investigate violations committed by all parties involved” in the deadly events in Suwayda.

He stated on X that the commission formed by the authorities in Damascus last month to investigate the Suwayda incidents “lacks credibility” and “the acceptance of the public.”