City Inhabitants Warn of Imminent Shortage of Essential Items in Sweida
In the aftermath of three weeks of intense fighting in Sweida, Syria, the situation regarding water, food, and medicine supplies is dire and critical. The conflict, which began on July 12, involved Druze groups, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces, leading to a fragile ceasefire only declared on July 19.
The clashes have resulted in the displacement of approximately 175,000 people, hundreds of deaths, and severe damage to critical infrastructure including health and water facilities.
Water supply
The conflict has caused widespread disruptions to water infrastructure, leaving civilians without reliable access to clean water. These disruptions are part of the broader collapse of basic utilities impacted by fighting and looting.
Food supply
Displacement and insecurity have resulted in shortages of food. Humanitarian access is heavily constrained due to ongoing insecurity, political obstacles, and mistrust among communities, delaying the delivery of food aid and other relief.
Medicine and healthcare
Health services have been severely affected; attacks on health facilities have been reported, including the killing of medical staff such as doctors. Hospitals and clinics are operating under immense strain, with shortages of medicines and medical supplies exacerbating the humanitarian emergency.
Human Rights Watch notes that communities in Sweida are facing a lack of food, water, and health care amid continued insecurity and political complications hindering humanitarian assistance. The United Nations and humanitarian actors stress the urgent need for humanitarian aid to be allowed in immediately and without interference to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
Aid efforts
The Syrian Red Crescent has sent three aid convoys from Damascus to Sweida since clashes subsided last week, including a convoy with 1,000 food baskets and 200 tonnes of food on Monday. An aid convoy sent on Monday also included 4,000 baskets for the displaced, containing household disinfectants, nylon separation barriers, and other items for minimal shelter, as well as a consignment of medicine. A separate convoy with 30,000 litres of fuel arrived in the city on Thursday.
However, access to Sweida has been heavily restricted by authorities, requiring prior coordination for entry and exit. Journalists are banned from entering the city.
Political complications
The conflict in Sweida is the latest pitting the government against Syria's minorities since Bashar Al Assad was ousted by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham in December. Syria's Information Minister Hamza Mustafa blamed an outlaw group for the shortage of supplies, referring to the Druze spiritual leadership coalesced under Sheikh Hikmat Al Hijri.
The government has sent in tanks and troops, but Israeli strikes and US diplomatic efforts have curbed the offensive on the heartland of the Druze minority, particularly Sweida city, the provincial capital, located near Jordan.
Residents fear attacks by Bedouin tribes if they leave the city. Suhail Thebian, a civil figure in Sweida, stated that there has been no water for days and no electricity, accusing armed men of blowing up water wells in the nearby area of Thaala. There is no flour in Sweida, and major mills have been destroyed.
The current situation in Sweida is characterized by severe shortages of water, food, and medicine following weeks of fighting, compounded by displacement, infrastructure destruction, and restricted humanitarian access. The urgent need for humanitarian aid and the restoration of basic utilities is paramount to alleviate the suffering of the people of Sweida.
- Despite the fragile ceasefire in Syria's Sweida, the United Nations and humanitarian actors emphasize the urgent need for humanitarian aid to be allowed in immediately, given the critical shortages of food, water, and medicine in the region.
- The conflict in Syria's Sweida, involving Druze groups, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces, has resulted in the displacement of approximately 175,000 people, severe destruction of critical infrastructure, and limited humanitarian access to food, water, and medicine.
- The Syrian Red Crescent has sent aid convoys to Sweida, providing food baskets, medicine, and household supplies for the displaced, but access to the city remains heavily restricted by authorities, resulting in continued hardships for its residents.
