Israeli military raid in southern Syria kills man with Down syndrome

A man with Down syndrome, identified as Muath Salama Al-Baeer, was killed by Israeli forces during an overnight raid in the village of Jamla in Syria’s Daraa province. Residents and Syrian state media reported that Al-Baeer was an unarmed civilian with special needs.

The Israeli military stated that soldiers identified a suspect approaching them during a suspect apprehension procedure and fired to remove the perceived threat. The military noted that the incident is currently under review.

Following the removal of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in late 2024, Israeli forces seized and have maintained control of a UN-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria. While Israeli officials previously described their presence as temporary, they have since indicated intentions to remain indefinitely to secure their borders. Although Jamla is located outside the occupied zone, residents report frequent incursions by Israeli forces into the surrounding areas.