We, the undersigned Syrian and international civil society organizations, express our concern over the escalation of violence in several areas of Syria, and particularly in Al-Sweida governorate over the past weeks, and its devastating impact on civilians. While the intensity of armed clashes may have subsided, the humanitarian, social, and political consequences persist and demand urgent, comprehensive attention, not only to respond to the current crisis1 but to address its structural causes and prevent its recurrence.
The recent wave of armed clashes between Druze and Bedouin factions has led to hundreds2 of reported deaths The intervention of the General Security forces has exacerbated the security situation in the governorate, escalated the fighting, and led to the intervention of Israeli forces, which in turn killed 30 members of the General Security forces in Sweida and bombed the Ministry of Defence building in Damascus. This has led to widespread human rights violations, the destruction of infrastructure, and the displacement of more than 175,000 people3.
This violence reflects the deep-rooted failure of political, security, and legal structures to protect minorities and uphold the principles of justice and accountability. The use of sectarian rhetoric, impunity for past violations, and the failure to implement an inclusive national dialogue have all contributed to the current crisis. The Syrian authorities’ militarized and discriminatory response, including the use of excessive force, has further eroded public trust and legitimacy.
We, the undersigned organizations, condemn:
- The deliberate targeting of civilians the use of collective punishment, and any form of repression.
- The failure of the transitional government to act swiftly to protect all communities.
- The instrumentalization of the crisis by external actors seeking to fragment Syria further.
- Repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and the violation of the Syrian territorial sovereignty by Israel.
And, we call on the EU to:
- Scale up humanitarian assistance to Sweida, ensuring that aid is delivered swiftly and equitably through independent, rights-based, and locally trusted channels, with a focus on displaced populations and severely affected communities.
- Support and fund community-led reconciliation efforts, including the establishment of an independent national committee composed of civil society actors, community leaders, and impartial experts to mediate tensions and rebuild trust at the local level.
- Back both Syrian and international initiatives to document human rights violations, including those committed by all parties, to lay the groundwork for truth-telling, justice, and future accountability mechanisms.
- Advocate for the full inclusion of Sweida and other historically marginalized areas in Syria’s political process by promoting inclusive governance, administrative decentralization, and policies rooted in the principle of equal citizenship for all Syrians.
Sweida’s suffering is not isolated; it is a reflection of Syria’s broader need for a just, inclusive, and democratic transition. We reaffirm that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without accountability, civic participation, and guarantees for non-repetition.
We call on all local, national, and international stakeholders to support a rights-based resolution and ensure that the people of Sweida and Syria as a whole are not forgotten.
Signed by:
- EuroMed Rights
- Nophotozone
- The Observatory – The Arab Center for Human Rights in the occupied Syrian Golan
- Equal Citizenship Center
- Huquqyat
- Access Center for Human Rights – Wousoul
- Dawlaty
- Civil Society Enablement Unit