A "cautious calm" has settled over the Syrian city of Suweida after a harrowing week of tribal violence, according to reports from a UK-based monitoring group. Residents observed fighting cease on Sunday, following an announcement from Syria's Islamist-led government, which stated that Bedouin fighters had retreated from the predominantly Druze area after intense clashes. This shift came after a ceasefire declared by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Saturday; however, the violence did not stop immediately. Over 1,000 lives have been lost amid the chaos, leading to dire shortages of medical supplies.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported since Sunday morning, Suweida has been relatively quiet, although government security forces have restricted access to the area using soil barriers. Local Druze fighters remain in control, having reportedly pushed Bedouin gunmen out of parts of the city. The conflict sparked following the abduction of a Druze merchant a week ago, resulting in severe sectarian clashes where both groups committed atrocities.
As fears mount over the humanitarian situation, locals express urgent needs for medical aid. One resident highlighted the dire conditions in hospitals, stating, "The smell of corpses is spread throughout the national hospital." Local medical professionals lament the lack of relief efforts, calling the hospitals "a disaster and out of service." While the city remains in a fragile state, the recent lull in violence offers a momentary respite and a glimmer of hope for residents overwhelmed by the recent turmoil.
