The first humanitarian aid convoy entered Sweida in southern Syria today, a predominantly Druze area devastated by recent conflicts between local communities, an official from the Syrian Red Crescent told AFP.
Aid Arrives Amid Fragile Ceasefire
A fragile ceasefire took effect today in Sweida province, where violence has claimed over 1,000 lives, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. An AFP journalist observed the convoy, composed of white vehicles bearing the Red Crescent symbol, on the outskirts of the city.
“This is the first convoy to enter after recent events and is currently in the city of Sweida,” Omar el-Maliki, spokesperson for the Syrian Red Crescent, confirmed to AFP. He added that the entry of this convoy, which will be followed by others, was coordinated between government forces and local authorities in Druze-held Sweida.
The convoy consists of 32 vehicles loaded with food, medical supplies, and fuel. Residents report that the besieged city is currently without water and electricity.
Government Convoy Blocked, Tensions Remain
However, a second convoy organized by Syrian authorities, comprising over 40 aid trucks and accompanied by three ministers, was unable to enter Sweida, according to a government statement.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “armed groups under the command of Sheikh Hekmat el-Hijri prevented the entry of the convoy.” Sheikh el-Hijri, an influential Druze cleric, is targeted by authorities for his calls for international protection for the Druze community and his appeals for assistance from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
