US State Department Confirms Killing of American Citizen in Sweida by Field Execution and Calls for Accountability of Perpetrators

Amid the escalating situation in the southern region of Syria, the US State Department confirmed the killing of an American citizen in Sweida, southern Syria, by a field execution following an armed clash, based on video clips circulated on social media in recent days.



This came in response to a question posed by the American news network 'CNN'.

'CNN' noted that the State Department did not provide details about the death of the American citizen named Hussam Saraya (35 years old), but stated that it 'is deeply concerned when any American citizen is harmed abroad, wherever they may be' and called for 'accountability in all cases where American citizens are harmed abroad'.

The network stated that the official confirmation came after the circulation of a video showing a field execution of eight men, carried out by armed individuals wearing military uniforms and covering their faces, during the violence that erupted in mid-July of this year.

According to accounts from relatives of the deceased and eyewitnesses reported by CNN, the American citizen, of Druze Syrian descent, had returned from Oklahoma to Syria years ago to care for his sick father. He was killed alongside seven of his relatives in what was described as an execution-style attack.

One of the victim's relatives, residing in the United States, mentioned that Saraya was killed along with his brother Kareem and several male family members, while the women were taken to a safe place. She added that the armed men stormed the family's house at dawn, and after a brief clash, the weapons were surrendered, and the eight men were taken outside where they were executed in the field.