Syrian Troops to Enter Sweida Amid Deadly Clashes and Humanitarian Crisis

Syrian officials announced plans to send military forces to the southern city of Sweida after days of intense clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups resulted in hundreds of deaths. In a statement, the Syrian presidency emphasized a commitment to civil peace, stating, "We do not respond to chaos with chaos. Syria belongs to all its citizens—from the Druze to the Bedouins."

Sweida's only remaining hospital has been overwhelmed by the influx of casualties. Medical staff described desperate conditions, with more than 400 bodies brought in since Monday. Dr. Omar Obeid told AFP that the morgue had reached capacity, forcing bodies to be left on the streets. He reported that the dead included women, children, and the elderly, and noted that three of his colleagues had been killed in the violence, including a surgeon shot while on duty at the hospital.

Residents described severe shortages of water, electricity, and medical supplies, with some people trapped in their homes for days. Rouba, a local resident, said, "The situation is very bad, we have no water and no electricity, medicines are starting to run out."

The escalation prompted Israel to reportedly allow Syrian troops to enter Sweida, reversing a previous policy that barred Syrian military presence south of Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimated that nearly 600 people have died since the violence began.

The United Nations called for an immediate end to the bloodshed and urged "independent, prompt and transparent investigations into all violations." Damascus is seeking to reassert control over the region as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.