Violence erupts anew in Syria as two men meet their demise amidst clashes between Druze militias and the country's governing military forces, sparking fear for the future.
Crisis Deepens in Sweida, Syria, as Humanitarian Aid Corridor Closes
The city of Sweida, Syria, finds itself in a dire situation following the resumption of fighting between government forces, Druze militias, and Bedouin armed groups since mid-July 2025. The conflict has resulted in widespread violence, displacement, and severe shortages of essentials such as food, water, electricity, and medical care.
Violent clashes between Druze militias aligned with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri and pro-government Bedouin fighters began on July 12, 2025. The Syrian government intervened, deploying military forces, imposing curfews, and claiming to restore order. However, residents have reported abuses including looting, arson, sectarian violence, and summary executions affecting civilians, including women and children.
The casualties and displacement are severe, with the death toll exceeding 600 and over 175,000 people displaced, which accounts for about one-third of the local population. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) describes the region as "teetering on the edge of collapse."
Humanitarian infrastructure has been severely damaged. Hospitals are reporting attacks, killing doctors, targeting ambulances, and severe shortages of medical supplies, electricity, and personnel. Water infrastructure is critically damaged, and food and fuel are scarce. Basic services are disrupted, and the crisis is compounded by environmental factors such as severe drought and wildfires, which have destroyed farmland and increased displacement in other parts of Syria.
The situation is further complicated by the closure of the aid corridor, which was the only passage for humanitarian aid convoys. This closure has caused concern and could lead to a breaking point and a real humanitarian crisis in Sweida.
Many families in Sweida are preparing to leave the city due to the fear of a new escalation. For those who want to leave, the main issue is the lack of gasoline for their vehicles. Some evacuations are being organized by the Red Crescent, but with limited capacity.
The crisis in Sweida is not just a local issue but has regional implications, with sectarian tensions escalating and igniting hate speech and risks of reprisals against Druze communities outside Sweida. Israeli airstrikes have also targeted Syrian military positions amid this conflict, further complicating the security situation.
In summary, Sweida faces a complex emergency with ongoing armed clashes and a collapsing humanitarian situation marked by massive displacement, critical shortages of essentials, and profound insecurity limiting aid delivery. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
[1] Amnesty International. (2025). Syria: Urgent action needed to protect civilians in Sweida. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/07/syria-urgent-action-needed-to-protect-civilians-in-sweida/
[2] UNICEF. (2025). Syria: Fighting forces thousands of children from their homes in Sweida. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/mena/media/85949
[3] OCHA. (2025). Humanitarian Bulletin: Syria, 16 July 2025. [online] Available at: https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/humanitarian-bulletin-syria-16-july-2025
[4] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Syria: Government Forces Abuses in Sweida. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/07/14/syria-government-forces-abuses-sweida
[5] UN News. (2025). Syria: UN agencies sound alarm over deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sweida. [online] Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1087752
- The escalating war-and-conflicts in Sweida, Syria, have necessitated political interventions by the government, as the situation's gravity has alarmingly intensified since mid-July 2025, leading to widespread violence and displacement.
- The ongoing crisis in Sweida, Syria, has expanded beyond its borders, as the government's intervention in the war-and-conflicts, marked by allegations of human rights abuses, has sparked regional tensions, and the closure of the aid corridor could exacerbate the general-news of a looming humanitarian disaster.
