• The UN Security Council expressed alarm at the sharp escalation of violence in Syria’s Sweida region since mid-July.

• The 15-member body reminded all sides of their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law, stressing in particular the duty to “respect and protect” all medical and humanitarian personnel.

Escalation in armed conflict in Syria

• The Druze-majority Suweida governorate, long relatively insulated from earlier phases of Syria’s 14‑year conflict, became a flashpoint in July.

• Unrest began on July 12 when mutual kidnappings escalated into armed conflict between Druze armed groups and Bedouin tribes, drawing in Syrian security forces.

• The violence spiralled, with reports of extrajudicial executions, desecration of corpses and looting. Footage circulated widely on social media fanned sectarian tensions and disinformation.

• Against this backdrop, Israel launched strikes on Syrian capital Damascus.

• Israel explained its attacks in the heart of the capital and on pro-government forces in Sweida as a defensive move in support of the Druze community, which has a significant presence within Israel and in the Israeli-occupied Golan.  

• Between July 12 and 16, air raids targeted Damascus authorities’ forces and official buildings, military installations and the vicinity of the Presidential Palace.

• A ceasefire was declared on July 19.

• Civilians suffered the most, with hundreds killed and widespread accounts of abuses by both State and non-State actors.

• The clashes led to internal displacement of some 192,000 people.

• Vital infrastructure, including water systems, are critically damaged, and food, fuel and medicine remain scarce. Aid access remains limited due to insecurity.

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