Violence in the South… a Wound that Demands Collective Responsibility

Violence in the South… a Wound that Demands Collective Responsibility
— Khaled Al-Hourani

What the governorate of As-Suwayda has witnessed of unfortunate events—
what began as limited clashes soon escalated into a cycle of violence whose consequences fell upon innocent civilians, striking the heart of social peace and opening the door to rejected practices that have nothing to do with Syrian values.

The most dangerous part of these events was the assault on civilians, followed by a wave of kidnappings aimed at ransom or bargaining for detainees held by the other side. Matters reached shocking scenes, the most painful of which was the kidnapping of women, children, and the elderly, and using them as leverage or negotiation cards. Such behavior—no matter who it comes from—represents a dangerous descent in how human dignity is treated, and it is something shameful and painful for every Syrian, regardless of affiliation.

Turning civilians into tools of conflict, and putting their lives and dignity at risk, does not reflect our values as Syrians—nor our morals, traditions, or noble customs built on courage, protecting the vulnerable, and respecting women, children, and elders.

What happened must be a wake-up call for all of us, from all communities, to reject these practices and confront them clearly and responsibly. Civil peace is not a luxury; it is the foundation upon which societies stand, and any harm to it threatens everyone without exception.

Syrians—despite their differences—are capable of overcoming this strife as they have overcome many before, provided that efforts unite under one principle:
Human dignity comes above all else, Syrian blood is sacred, and kidnapping and extortion are unacceptable under any pretext.