Suwayda, Syria— A Syrian-American citizen from Oklahoma was among eight members of a Druze family publicly executed in Syria’s southern Suwayda province, marking one of the most horrific sectarian atrocities in recent memory. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated, has sparked international outrage and renewed scrutiny of the war-torn country’s fragile sectarian dynamics.
The victim, identified as 35-year-old Hosam Saraya, had reportedly returned to Syria from Oklahoma to care for his ailing father and to support his community through an online education initiative. According to relatives, Saraya had long been engaged in humanitarian and educational projects and had hoped his efforts might help stabilize his hometown amid growing unrest.
However, on July 16, armed men, some dressed in what appeared to be Syrian military uniforms, stormed the family’s home, dragging Saraya and seven of his male relatives into the central Tishreen Square in Suwayda. Witnesses described a scene of coordinated brutality as the group was lined up and executed on camera in what appeared to be a message from jihadist factions and their backers.
Local reports suggest that the attackers were affiliated with Sunni militias that have been clashing violently with Druze self-defense groups since a deadly escalation began on July 12. The violence, which includes street battles, targeted assassinations, and now public executions, has left hundreds dead and displaced more than 130,000 people from the region. Many fear the province could be sliding into full-scale sectarian warfare.
Saraya’s killing has sent shockwaves through his home state of Oklahoma and within the broader American Druze community. US lawmakers, including Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin, condemned the execution and vowed to seek justice. “We are praying for his family as they deal with this heartbreaking loss,” said Lankford, calling the act “horrific and inhumane.”
Meanwhile, the US State Department confirmed Saraya’s death and expressed “deep concern” over the targeting of American citizens abroad. Officials have offered consular support to the family and indicated they are coordinating with international partners to gather more information.
On the ground, confusion remains about the identity of the perpetrators and their motives. While the Syrian Interior Ministry has announced an investigation, Druze leaders allege the regime itself may have been complicit, or at the very least, turned a blind eye to the Sunni militias’ actions. Tensions have been simmering in Suwayda for months, fueled by economic collapse, tribal rivalries, and increased Iranian influence in southern Syria, all set against a backdrop of regime fragmentation.
Adding to the complexity, Israel reportedly carried out airstrikes near Syria’s southern border in response to the escalating sectarian violence. Though Israeli officials have not confirmed the strikes publicly, analysts believe the move was meant to deter further attacks against the Druze population, some of whom have familial ties to communities in northern Israel.
For Saraya’s family, there is little solace. Videos of the execution circulated online, forcing relatives in Oklahoma and Suwayda to witness the final moments of their loved ones. The public nature of the killings, experts warn, is designed to instill fear and assert dominance in a region where centralized authority has largely collapsed.
Efforts to retrieve Saraya’s remains are reportedly underway, coordinated by local Druze leaders with assistance from international organizations. Meanwhile, the online school he helped build remains offline, its servers shuttered, its mission suspended, and its founder silenced.
According to Fox News, Saraya’s execution was described by American lawmakers as a deliberate act of terror carried out by Syrian-backed jihadist factions, escalating fears that foreign nationals and dual citizens are increasingly being targeted in the region’s spiraling conflict.
Noted by The Washington Post, the execution of Saraya and his relatives came in apparent retaliation for recent clashes between Druze self-defense forces and Sunni tribal fighters. The report highlighted growing concerns that the conflict has transitioned from isolated skirmishes to systematic sectarian violence.
As AP News noted, that the brutal killings in Suwayda are symptomatic of a much broader power vacuum gripping southern Syria. With the central government’s influence waning and local militias filling the void, the province has become a battleground where civilians, including diaspora returnees like Saraya, are caught in the crossfire
