A "cautious calm" has settled over the Syrian city of Suweida after a week marked by deadly tribal violence, according to a monitoring group based in the UK. The clashes involved Druze fighters, Bedouin gunmen, and government forces, leading to the declaration of a ceasefire by Syria's president on Saturday. Residents reported the cessation of fighting as the Bedouins allegedly withdrew from Suweida, a predominantly Druze area, amidst claims of heavy casualties exceeding 1,000.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that, despite the ceasefire, initial efforts to stop the violence were unsuccessful, and the effects of ongoing conflict were still palpable. For now, the government has instituted road closures to limit access to the city, allowing only ambulances to pass through, marking an attempt to maintain order.
The tensions that escalated into violence originated last week, sparked by the kidnapping of a Druze merchant on a route leading to Damascus. In the last seven days, both sides have been implicated in severe violations, spurring fears of further bloodshed.
On Sunday morning, reports indicated an absence of hostilities in Suweida, though the humanitarian crisis looms large with a critical shortage of medical supplies. An unnamed local resident highlighted the urgency for aid, describing the overwhelming smell of corpses within the national hospital. Healthcare providers, including a local dentist, described the conditions as disastrous, with hospitals largely ineffective.
As the city grapples with the aftereffects of violence, the situation remains tense, calling into question how long this fragile calm will last in the face of ongoing humanitarian challenges.
