Syrian Arab Republic: Flash Update No. 6 - Escalation of Hostilities in As-Sweida Governorate (as of 5 August 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hostilities continued in As-Sweida Governorate, particularly the western countryside, despite a ceasefire agreement, contributing to a volatile security environment and impacting civilian safety.
• Humanitarian access remains constrained, with the Damascus–As-Sweida Highway still inaccessible and the southern corridor via Busra Esh-Sham temporarily closed and reopened during the reporting period, affecting aid delivery timelines.
• Humanitarian actors scaled up response efforts, including fuel and food deliveries to As-Sweida and Dar’a, commercial convoy facilitation, and shelter support for displaced populations.
• Nearly 1.5 million people have received bread assistance from Food Security actors since the escalation of hostilities in mid-July and as of 4 August.
• Restoration of essential services is ongoing, with partial electricity restored through emergency repairs. However, widespread telecommunication and internet outages persist, and maintenance of water and power networks continues in rural areas.
• OCHA led an inter-agency mission to Dar’a to assess shelter conditions and discuss medium-term accommodation options for displaced populations, while critical gaps in shelter infrastructure continue to be reported.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Between 1 and 5 August, the security situation in As-Sweida and the surrounding areas remained volatile. Clashes were reported in Kharsa and Ora towns along the western axis of As-Sweida, contributing to heightened insecurity. Despite a ceasefire agreement, hostilities continued in the Tal Hadid–Thaala area, with reports of artillery and machine gun fire. Additionally, aerial surveillance activity attributed to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has been observed over multiple locations in Dar’a and As-Sweida, contributing to regional tension. Since the beginning of hostilities in mid-July 2025, more than 191,000 people were displaced within As-Sweida Governorate and to Dar’a, Rural Damascus, and Damascus as reported in the previous OCHA update.

During the reporting period, public demonstrations occurred across multiple locations in As-Sweida, reiterating calls for improved humanitarian access and protection. Parallel demonstrations in Dar’a and Damascus governorates emphasized national unity. The Damascus–As-Sweida Highway has remained inaccessible since 12 July due to security concerns. On 04 August, the humanitarian corridor to As-Sweida governorate via Busra Esh-Sham in eastern Dar’a was reopened following a 24-hour closure due to hostilities and clashes.

The Syria Civil Defence evacuated 90 families (316 people) to Rural Damascus on 3 August, while reportedly, 132 people returned to As-Sweida the following day, including university students. Meanwhile, eight families (31 people) have newly arrived in the governorate.

Efforts to restore essential services in As-Sweida Governorate are ongoing. On 4 August, electricity was partially restored following repairs to the 66-KV line, although this line only meets limited needs. Maintenance of electrical networks continues in several rural towns, including Shaqa, Salkhad, and Amra, with a focus on restoring power to water wells. However, as of 5 August, widespread telecommunication and internet outages persist across the governorate.

For more information:

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