Houston families are mourning unthinkable loss in Syria.
HOUSTON — A 35-year-old American citizen was killed last week in southern Syria amid escalating sectarian violence targeting the Druze religious minority, the U.S. State Department confirmed. Hosam Saraya’s death has left his Houston-based family devastated and pleading for help as other American families also face tragic losses in the region.
The State Department acknowledged Saraya’s death, with officials stating they “can confirm the death” and are “offering condolences to family” while “providing assistance,” though they declined to provide additional details.
According to his cousin Fadi Murad, who lives in Houston, Saraya had returned to Syria with humanitarian intentions.
“He went back to Syria to help his ailing father and start a small project,” Murad said.
However, Saraya’s death was part of a brutal attack on his family. Murad described the horrific circumstances, saying Saraya “was kidnapped and killed” along with “his father, his brother, three of his uncles and one of his cousins.” The attackers “took them out on a row on their knees and shot them,” Murad recounted.
Murad says the execution was filmed and shared on social media.
“It’s horrifying and devastating,” he said. “These were civilians.”
The violence has particularly targeted the Druze, a small religious minority in the Middle East who practice an offshoot of Islam and inhabit areas in southern Syria. The community has recently come under fire from other tribes in the region, with videos of the brutal killings being posted to social media.
Murad expressed the devastating impact on families, emphasizing that the victims were “all civilians” who were “targeted and killed for their religious beliefs.”
The tragedy extends beyond Saraya’s family. Another American, Soulimen Makaled, is also mourning loss while desperately trying to rescue family members still trapped in Syria.
“My dad went into the house and they killed him,” Makaled said.
Makaled now faces the agonizing situation of having his wife and baby stuck in the dangerous region.
“My wife and my kids is 4 months old I am not able to get them out,” he said, explaining that leaving the southern region is nearly impossible.
He has issued desperate pleas for assistance.
“Someone can help us some community united nations anybody can help these people.” Makaled added, “I have to save my family somehow. I have to do what needs to be done get them and get them out of there. Or bring them over here.”
Over the weekend, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the violence and called for justice. Houston families are now hoping his words will translate into concrete action before more lives are lost.
The sectarian violence in Syria continues to pose significant dangers to religious minorities, with the Druze community facing particular persecution in the country’s ongoing instability.