Sylvain Mercadier, a French journalist detained by the Israeli military in Syrian territory, recounted being crushed and subjected to “brutal interrogation” by Israeli troopers.
Mercadier, who was arrested alongside Syrian activist and lawyer Muhammed Fayyad, shared particulars of the incident with Anadolu Agency (AA). The two have been working within the village of Hamidiye when the Israeli military tried to grab their computer systems.
He mentioned they have been forcibly detained, with their fingers cuffed behind their backs and their mouths gagged.
Mercadier recalled being taken to a constructing repurposed as a army base by the Israeli military within the occupied Golan Heights.
“For four hours, we were forced to sit on the ground cross-legged with our hands behind our backs. We were mistreated, insulted, and humiliated by the soldiers,” he mentioned.
He mentioned they have been often interrogated, intimidated, and subjected to repeated humiliation.
“We were interrogated multiple times, intimidated, and threatened. I was thrown to the ground and beaten because I refused to cooperate with the army by unlocking my phone,” he added.
After the interrogation, Mercadier mentioned they have been pushed to a different village and launched. However, he famous that their SIM playing cards, telephones, cameras, and reminiscence playing cards weren’t returned.
“I was deprived of my equipment needed for work,” he added.
The Israeli military detained Mercadier and Fayyad within the Quneitra area of Syria on Dec. 8, 2024, and claimed that after questioning, the 2 have been launched together with their private belongings.
Israel’s assaults and occupation of Syria
Following intensified clashes in Syria on Nov. 27 and the collapse of the 61-year-old Baath regime on Dec. 8, Israeli army assaults on the nation elevated.
The Israeli military expanded its occupation within the Golan Heights, advancing inside 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) of Damascus.
Israel has occupied Syria’s Golan Heights since 1967, and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria established the boundaries of the demilitarized zone.
Source: www.dailysabah.com