Attachments
As of mid-July 2025, the situation in AsSweida has escalated into intense outbreaks of sectarian violence. The unrest began on the evening of 12 July when clashes broke out between armed Druze factions and Bedouin tribal f ighters. Hostilities erupted after kidnapping incidents occurred, including the abduction of a Druze merchant on 12 July on the Damascus-As-Sweida highway.
The situation deteriorated quickly, causing the closure of the highway to Damascus. The Internal Security Forces (ISF) have been deployed to the area to disengage the two fighting parties and protect civilians in the populated towns along the highway. A curfew in the governorate was declared at noon on 13 July, and negotiations between the parties are ongoing, leading to an exchange of hostages.
However, the clashes have been continuing, and additional ISF forces was reportedly deployed to the area.
Adding a significant international dimension to the crisis, the Israel Defense Forces carried out airstrikes on 14 July, targeting Syrian military tanks near the village of Sami’ in As-Sweida. The Israeli government stated that the strikes were intended to neutralize threats against the Druze community living near its border and warned the Syrian regime against any further military buildup in the south. On 16 July, Israeli warplanes targeted the Syrian Defense Ministry, military headquarters, and areas near the presidential palace in central Damascus.
As of the morning, 16 July, casualties reportedly exceeded 135 fatalities, impacting civilians, members of the internal security forces and Bedouin tribal fighters. Further assaults on houses and medical facilities are ongoing. While the As-Sweida National Hospital had continued to operate at full capacity despite electricity cuts, armed elements reportedly attacked the hospital on 15 July, which resulted in the injury of civilians and medical staff, and the death of a doctor. The hospital has reached near-full capacity, while emergency health care needs, including trauma care, continue rising.
Despite the Minister of Defense announced a ceasefire on 15 July after negotiating with local Druze leaders, heavy shelling, motor fire, looting and others are still ongoing at the time of writing. The clashes, particularly in the city centre, have intensified, and sounds of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade explosions are echoing throughout the city. The warehouse of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), a UNHCR partner, was also burned down by indiscriminate shelling.
The UN and civilian movement on the highway and all humanitarian activities, including those at the UNHCR-supported community centre, have been suspended.