A tentative calm settled over Syria’s southern Sweida province on Sunday after armed groups withdrew, marking the end of a week of violence that reportedly claimed more than 1,000 lives.
Local sources told news agencies that the area had stabilized after government forces, criticized for their recent actions, declared that Bedouin fighters had retreated from the predominantly Druze city.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) described the situation as “cautiously calm since early Sunday,” but highlighted concerns over worsening humanitarian conditions, including critical shortages of medical supplies.
According to the SOHR, the violence over the past week resulted in significant casualties due to armed clashes, shelling, unlawful killings, and airstrikes attributed to Israel.
Dentist Kenan Azzam, a resident, told Reuters that while fighting had ceased, tension remained. “Hospitals are overwhelmed and non-functional, and many are still injured or unaccounted for,” he said, also noting severe shortages of water and electricity.
Reporters from AFP near Sweida observed no signs of active conflict and noted that aid convoys were being organized to reach the Druze-majority area.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent stated that 32 trucks carrying food, medicine, water, fuel, and other supplies would be sent to Sweida, where infrastructure had suffered due to the clashes. State media confirmed that health authorities were also dispatching additional aid.
The unrest began after tensions between a Bedouin tribesman and a local Druze resident prompted government intervention. As Druze fighters resisted the entry of state forces, violence escalated, subjecting civilians to days of turmoil. In response, Israel conducted strikes targeting Syrian military sites, including the defense ministry in Damascus.
A temporary halt in hostilities between Syria and Israel was mediated by the U.S. on Saturday to prevent further military action.
On Sunday, U.S. officials urged an immediate cessation of violence. “All parties must disarm, stop hostilities, and reject retaliatory actions,” wrote Tom Barrack, the U.S. envoy to Syria, on social media.
Earlier, another U.S. official warned Syria’s leadership, whose forces have been accused of misconduct while entering Sweida, emphasizing the need for unity and stability.
“If Damascus seeks a peaceful and sovereign Syria without external dominance, hostilities must end,” the official stated.
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