Syrian Arab Republic: Flash Update No. 3 - Escalation of Hostilities in As-Sweida Governorate (as of 22 July 2025)

Highlights:

• Between 20 and 22 July, sporadic clashes were reported despite the agreed truce in As-Sweida Governorate and surrounding areas, with reports of drone and mortar attacks, aerial surveillance, and ground clashes contributing to civilian injuries and displacement.
• As of 22 July, at least 145,600 people were displaced within As-Sweida and towards Dar’a and Rural Damascus governorates, the majority of them were displaced mainly within As-Sweida Governorate.
• Access to electricity, water, fuel, and telecommunications remains largely unavailable in As-Sweida, while food insecurity is worsening due to market shortages and the closure of bakeries.
• Humanitarian partners are responding with delivering medical, health, protection services, and delivering food, water, NFIs among other aid, despite ongoing access constraints.
• Aid distributions are ongoing from the first SARC convoy that reached As-Sweida and Salkhad districts, including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. The second SARC convoy will move on 23 July.
• Displacement continues across As-Sweida, Dar’a, and Rural Damascus, with overcrowded shelters, limited WASH facilities, and explosive ordnance contamination increasing protection risks for affected populations.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Between 20 and 22 July, the security situation in southern Syria remained highly volatile, marked by intensified hostilities and reported violations of the ceasefire agreement in As-Sweida Governorate and surrounding areas. Armed confrontations escalated in western and northern rural As-Sweida, particularly around Ariqa and Umm az-Zaytoun, involving the use of drones, mortars, and small arms fire. Populated areas, including Shahba town were affected by drone attacks, resulting in injuries and disruption to communication services. Aerial activity increased significantly, with surveillance aircraft, helicopters, and warplanes observed over As-Sweida, Daraa, and southern Rural Damascus, contributing to regional tension and complicating humanitarian access. Despite these developments, local actors reportedly continue to maintain control over key areas and secure frontlines, while authorities have taken measures to prevent further escalation.

The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Civil defense teams evacuated more than 1,100 civilians primarily women, children, and the elderly many of whom reportedly faced distressing circumstances prior to evacuation. Over 10 injured civilians, including children, have been transferred to hospitals. Buses reportedly entered As-Sweida city in the early hours of 21 July to facilitate evacuations under the ceasefire agreement. Government forces spread at the outskirts of the city to prevent further escalation. Humanitarian access to As-Sweida governorate remains constrained due to insecurity.

Authorities have confirmed the activation of an emergency coordination cell with humanitarian partners, including OCHA, to mobilize and deliver assistance to affected populations.

For more information:

Anastasya Kahala Atassi, Public Information Officer, OCHA - E-mail: anastasya.atassi@un.org