Emergency Situation Report – Humanitarian Conditions in As-Suwayda Governorate, Syria
Over the past few days, As-Suwayda Governorate has witnessed rapidly escalating and violent developments, resulting in an unprecedented escalation of violence and displacement with catastrophic humanitarian consequences for the civilian population. Widespread clashes erupted between local armed factions outside state control and tribal militias, alongside the intervention of government forces. These events led to a high number of casualties, the majority of whom were civilians, and caused widespread destruction of vital infrastructure in several villages and towns.
This escalation has been accompanied by a sharp deterioration in the humanitarian situation. Mass displacement, a total blackout of electricity, water, and telecommunications, and the shutdown of many health facilities have all been reported. Alarming accounts of field executions and retaliatory violence against civilians raise serious concerns about escalating human rights violations. Although a ceasefire was declared on July 16 , the situation remains highly volatile.
The escalation by local factions operating outside state control has led to violent clashes with tribal groups, amid ongoing reports of hostage-taking and revenge killings targeting civilians.