Aid convoy reaches besieged Sweida weeks after violence erupts
- An aid convoy successfully entered Sweida, marking the first such relief effort since severe fighting erupted in July.
- The convoy included essential supplies, but the region was previously inaccessible due to a closed highway and ongoing violence.
- The humanitarian crisis in the area underscores the need for both immediate aid and the restoration of commercial goods to stabilize the situation.
In southern Syria, an aid convoy successfully entered the city of Sweida on Thursday for the first time since significant sectarian violence erupted in July. This outbreak of violence involved clashes between government forces alongside local Bedouin tribesmen and fighters from the Druze minority, resulting in hundreds of deaths and displacing tens of thousands of residents. As a consequence of the fighting, the main highway that connects Damascus to Sweida had remained closed, creating severe logistical challenges for humanitarian aid deliveries. Reports indicate that the violence included serious human rights violations, with allegations of government combatants executing Druze civilians, as well as looting and burning of homes. Although the immediate fighting has receded, government forces continue to encircle the city, complicating the situation for residents who claim they are under siege and are receiving little to no humanitarian assistance. The province of Sweida's local government announced the arrival of the convoy, which was said to carry essential items including food, cleaning supplies, and solar-powered lamps designed to meet the basic needs of the affected population. With the previous aid convoys needing to take longer routes through Daraa province, this reopening of the main highway marks a critical change for humanitarian operations in the region. The U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, has acknowledged the pressing need for assistance, stating that the local health system is under severe strain. Hospitals and clinics are experiencing acute shortages of essential medications, including insulin and dialysis supplies. The increase in prices for basic goods has left families in fuel and food lines for extensive periods. He emphasized that merely providing humanitarian aid is insufficient; restoring safe and reliable commercial goods flow is necessary to stabilize Sweida and prevent further deterioration of the situation.