Syrians protest Sweida killings in London, Paris

Dozens of Syrians from minority communities rallied today in London and Paris, calling for action to protect the Druze in their Sweida heartland, where sectarian violence has killed hundreds.

In central London, around 80 protesters chanted “God protect Druze” and “Stop supporting Jolani,” referring to Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s nom de guerre, which he abandoned after his Islamist group seized Damascus late last year.

The demonstrators in the British capital held up placards calling for an end to the deadly violence in Sweida and for a humanitarian corridor to be opened up via the Jordanian border.

More than 900 people have been killed in the Druze-majority province since Sunday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring organization.

At the Paris protest, Aida Haladi wore black and clutched a picture of her 52-year-old brother, whom she said was killed in front of his home Thursday morning in Sweida city.

She said he had stepped out to grab some blood pressure medication he had forgotten.

“He was an honest man. He never tried to hurt a soul,” she said.

“Where is France?” Haladi said, accusing Sharaa of complicity and angry at France’s leader Emmanuel Macron for having hosted Syria’s interim president in Paris in May.

Hours later, France urged all sides to “strictly adhere” to the ceasefire.