As the people of Swaida endure siege, displacement, and indiscriminate violence, a discredited and exiled figure, Laith Al-Balous, is being promoted abroad as our spokesperson. He does not live in Swaida. His former group has publicly disavowed him and has betrayed the people of Swaida at their most vulnerable moment. His actions, facilitating the entry of hostile forces and spreading false narratives, have directly endangered lives and fueled the current crisis. He is no longer part of our community, and his name is associated with treachery and bloodshed, not leadership. Yet, amid this humanitarian catastrophe, Al-Balous is being positioned, by non-Swaida parties, as a voice for our people, while thousands have been killed, wounded, abducted, women raped, entire villages emptied, and American citizens remain trapped without aid. Our suffering is real, and it is being politicized and misrepresented.

If Al-Balous continues to be treated as a legitimate voice, the truth will be buried, the victims ignored, and the perpetrators protected. He has minimized war crimes as mere “infighting” and deflected blame away from the regime and militias responsible for systematic violence. Giving him a platform not only distorts the narrative, it risks shaping international understanding and response based on falsehoods. The result could be delayed aid, diplomatic cover for war criminals, and further suffering for the innocent people of Swaida. We cannot allow this manipulation to continue.

That is why we are raising our voices, before more harm is done. The international community must hear directly from those still on the ground, from verified leaders, civilians, and eyewitnesses, not from someone who has betrayed our people and now seeks to profit from their pain. This is a critical moment to protect the truth, to demand accountability, and to ensure that no one speaks for Swaida without the consent of its people.

Sign this petition to stop false representation, expose betrayal, and defend the dignity of Swaida. Demand truth, justice, and representation rooted in community, not manipulation. Let no one rewrite our pain. Let no one speak in our name.

WARNING: GRAPHIC REPORT Systematic Atrocities Against The Druze In Swaida

من خان لا يمثّلنا – بيان من أبناء السويداء

لهذا، نرفع صوتنا الآن—قبل أن يتفاقم الضرر أكثر. على المجتمع الدولي أن يسمع من هم على الأرض، من المدنيين، والشهود، والقادة المجتمعيين الحقيقيين، لا من من خان شعبه واستثمر ألمه. هذه اللحظة حاسمة: يجب حماية الحقيقة، وتقديم المساءلة، وضمان ألا يتحدث أحد باسم السويداء دون تفويض رسمي منها.

بينما يعاني أهل السويداء من الحصار والنزوح والعنف العشوائي، يتم الترويج لشخص منفي ومدان أخلاقياً—ليث البلعوس—على أنه صوتنا في الخارج. هو لا يعيش معنا في السويداء، وقد تم إعلان البراءة منه علنًا من قبل مجموعته السابقة بعد أن خان أهل السويداء في أشد لحظات ضعفهم. أفعاله، من تسهيل دخول قوى معادية إلى نشر روايات مضللة، كانت سببا مباشرا في تأجيج الأزمة وتعريض الحياة للخطر. اسمه اليوم مرتبط بالخيانة وسفك الدماء، وليس بالتمثيل أو المسؤولية.

رغم ذلك، يُسوّق في خضم كارثة إنسانية على أنه صاحب موقف معتبر. في وقت قتل فيه آلاف من المواطنين، وتُرك الآلاف عالقين دون مساعدات، تُشوّه معاناتنا وتُستخدم سياسياً لتغبيش الحقائق.

WARNING: GRAPHIC: Systematic Atrocities Against The Druze In Swaida