UN briefing warns of escalating violence in As‑Suwayda; cites Israeli strikes and sectarian tensions

Khalid Kheri, a United Nations official, told the Security Council that fighting in As‑Suwayda governorate since July 12 has produced “hundreds of casualties” among security forces, fighters and civilians and has severely strained local services and humanitarian access.

Kheri said the immediate violence began after a series of mutual kidnappings in the Druze‑majority As‑Suwayda governorate on July 12 and escalated into armed clashes between Bedouin tribes and local Druze armed groups. He said Syrian security forces deployed under the ministries of defense and interior on July 14 with the stated aim of halting the clashes, restoring order and pursuing those responsible.

“The ensuing fighting resulted in hundreds of casualties among the Damascus security forces and Druze fighters, and tragically, among Druze and Bedouin civilians, including women, children, and elderly,” Kheri said. He also reported that “10 were killed and others were abducted” in related attacks on security personnel and that there were…