The United Nations migration agency reported on Sunday that a week of escalating sectarian violence in southern Syria’s Druze heartland has displaced more than 128,000 people. The unrest, which began around July 13, has prompted significant humanitarian concerns and a fragile ceasefire.
According to a report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), “To date, a total of 128,571 individuals have been displaced since the onset of hostilities.” The report further highlighted a dramatic surge in displacement from Sweida province, noting that “displacement from Sweida province spiked sharply on 19 July, with over 43,000 people displaced in a single day.”
The violence primarily involves clashes between Druze and Bedouin armed groups in Sweida city and its surrounding villages. The Syrian transitional government has deployed armed forces to the area in an attempt to restore order, and a ceasefire agreement was reportedly reached on July 19. However, reports indicate that sporadic clashes and abuses against civilians from both communities have continued.
Humanitarian organizations on the ground are facing significant challenges. Save the Children reported today that families in Sweida Governorate are trapped without medical care, clean water, or sufficient food, as fighting has closed hospitals, cut off roads, and damaged water systems. The organization is calling for immediate safe access for aid. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported a death toll exceeding 1,000 from the week of violence, including hundreds of civilians and fighters from both sides.
The situation remains tense, with efforts underway to secure humanitarian corridors and ensure the safe passage of displaced persons. The international community, including the EU and the US, has urged all parties to adhere strictly to the ceasefire and protect civilians.
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