Syrian Arab Republic: Flash Update No. 5 - Escalation of Hostilities in As-Sweida Governorate (as of 31 July 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Syria led the first high-level, inter-agency mission to As-Sweida Governorate since the onset of hostilities, visiting As-Sweida City, Shahba, and Salkhad towns to assess humanitarian needs and deliver assistance.
• The first UN-led humanitarian convoy to date, consisting of 40 trucks following four convoys facilitated by SARC, arrived in As-Sweida, delivering food, medical supplies, fuel, shelter kits, and equipment to support essential services.
• As of 28 July, nearly 192,000 individual displacement movements were recorded across As-Sweida, Dar’a, and Rural Damascus. Of these, around 153,000 were first-time displacements, with the majority displaced within As-Sweida. Only limited returns were reported, primarily to the Salkhad District.
• The UN inter-sector assessment missions continue to visit reception centers and shelters across Dar’a and Rural Damascus to conduct comprehensive evaluations of the current conditions of the facilities and identify the evolving needs of IDPs residing in these locations.
• Humanitarian partners continue to emphasize the urgent need to restore public services in As-Sweida, including water, electricity, communications, and medical care, alongside ongoing aid deliveries.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Between 28 and 31 July, the security situation in As-Sweida and the surrounding areas remained volatile. Airstrikes attributed to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly impacted multiple locations in western and northern As-Sweida countryside, while sporadic clashes occurred between tribal elements and local armed groups near Kanaker town. Additionally, snipping activities have been reported to continue in the western countryside of As-Sweida, resulting in civilian casualties. These developments prompted the evacuation of over 800 people from As-Sweida to neighboring areas, including Dar’a.

On 28 July, peaceful demonstrations were reported across numerous urban and rural areas in As-Sweida Governorate, including towns such as Salkhad, Shahba, Qarayya, and others, as well as Al-Karama Square and in front of the UNHCR office in As-Sweida City. Protesters called for an immediate end to violence and the urgent delivery of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid to support essential services. Demonstrators also demanded the opening of a humanitarian corridor, international intervention to halt hostilities, and an independent investigation into recent events. Appeals were made to international and foreign media to document the situation on the ground.

Access is granted for United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations to As-Sweida Governorate, after 16 days of hostilities. On 29 July, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued a note verbale addressing UN agencies and humanitarian organizations, urging them to intensify humanitarian efforts in As-Sweida and Dar‘a governorates and granting access to As-Sweida Governorate, in response to hostilities and rising humanitarian needs. The Ministry called for expanded sectoral interventions, particularly in food security, health, education, WASH, shelter, and psychosocial support, and emphasized the importance of resource mobilization, security assessments, and enhanced technical coordination to ensure safe and effective humanitarian operations.

For more information:

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