#Watch: Sheikh Masoud Ahmad al-Jaba’i, a 95-year-old elder from the village of Ta‘ara in the western countryside of As-Suwayda, was kidnapped for an entire month by elements of the General Security and Ministry of Defense of the de facto authority, along with some tribal militias. He was humiliated, beaten, had his mustache forcibly shaved, and was repeatedly threatened with harm to his sons. On several occasions, they placed a sword to his neck.

Upon his return from Daraa, the elder told his son in fear:
“Please, hide me… I am very afraid.”

He was a civilian who was subjected to a field execution, followed by the mutilation and burning of his body in Lahtha. The crime was carried out by the General Security and Ministry of Defense forces of the de facto authority, who wore uniforms bearing ISIS insignia to conceal their identities.

His body was discovered on 8 August 2025 after the Syrian Arab Red Crescent entered villages in northern and western Suwayda, which are under the control of the de facto authority. The bodies were found decomposed, burned, disfigured, and mutilated, reflecting the brutal nature of the de facto authority and constituting a flagrant violation of human rights.

These acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The crime was a field execution followed by mutilation, carried out by General Security and Ministry of Defense elements of the de facto authority, wearing ISIS emblems.

Sheikh Fawzat al-Khatib’s body was recovered on 8 August 2025 after Red Crescent teams entered villages in northern and western As-Suwayda under the de facto authority. Other bodies were found decomposed, some burned, disfigured, and mutilated, reflecting the brutal nature of this authority.

These acts are clear violations of international law and fall under war crimes and crimes against humanity.