A humanitarian aid convoy has successfully delivered critical supplies to Syria’s Druze-majority Suwayda province, amidst ongoing calls from the United Nations for heightened support to address the urgent humanitarian crisis following recent clashes. The confrontations, which erupted on July 13 and concluded with a ceasefire a week later, primarily involved Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin tribes, underscoring the complex historical dynamics in the region. The fighting escalated to include government forces supporting the Bedouin armed groups.
On Monday, state-run media reported the arrival of the Syrian Red Crescent’s convoy, comprising 27 trucks that carried approximately 200 tonnes of flour, 2,000 shelter kits, and 1,000 food baskets, among other essential supplies. This initiative represented a collaborative effort among international organizations, the Syrian government, and local community stakeholders, demonstrating a commitment to alleviating the suffering in the region.
However, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed concern that, despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in Suwayda remains critical, hindered by lingering instability and intermittent hostilities. Access to humanitarian aid has been severely obstructed by roadblocks and insecurity, complicating the delivery and assessment process critical for effective response.
The ongoing violence has significantly disrupted essential services, resulting in power outages, water shortages, and depletion of essential supplies such as food and medicine. Local sources, including Suwayda24, have reported escalating humanitarian needs across the province, with widespread demonstrations advocating for increased aid. The situation has prompted local civil and humanitarian organizations to raise alarms about a potential humanitarian catastrophe faced by the residents, citing an increasingly restrictive siege imposed by authorities.
While government officials maintain that aid convoys are entering Suwayda without obstruction, challenges remain. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that ongoing closures of the Suwayda-Damascus highway have been impeding the flow of goods, as government-affiliated armed groups reportedly obstruct traffic.
The recent clashes have left over 250 people dead and displaced approximately 128,571 individuals, as indicated by the UN’s International Organization for Migration. Such conflicts pose substantive risks to Syria’s delicate post-war rebuild and transition process.
In light of recent tensions, Russia and Türkiye have emphasized the importance of respecting Syria’s territorial integrity and achieving political stability. Following Israeli airstrikes against Syrian government targets, Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the necessity of considering the interests of all ethnic and religious groups within the country’s borders, while Turkish officials have called for a continuation of de-escalation measures to support the Syrian government’s efforts to stabilize the region and protect civilian lives.
As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, international organizations, alongside local entities, emphasize the need for a sustained and robust humanitarian response to avert a deeper catastrophe in Suwayda.
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