Though multiple ceasefire declarations have been issued, the situation remains fragile, and the violence in Suweida has left deep and unhealed wounds.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), nearly 1,400 people have been killed in the governorate of Suweida due to armed clashes, bombardments, extrajudicial executions, and Israeli airstrikes. Among them are at least 196 individuals who were executed prior to the ceasefire declaration. Civilians—including women, children, and the elderly—have been among the victims of recent violence, with reports indicating that residential areas, streets, and public gathering places have been impacted. Medical infrastructure has been severely impacted: most hospitals are now out of service due to the violence, impeding both the movement of medical staff and the delivery of essential supplies. Morgues are overflowing, and bodies are reportedly being left in public spaces due to the ongoing dangers of retrieval.
Over 176,000 people have been displaced from Sweida, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Reports from multiple media outlets indicate that around 30,000 people—primarily Druze residents—remain besieged in Suweida city and nearby towns. A severe humanitarian crisis is ongoing, marked by widespread shortages of food, water, electricity, and telecommunications, caused by extensive damage to vital infrastructure.
A first ceasefire was declared on July 15, 2025, by Syria’s Defense Minister following pressure from Druze community leaders. The Syrian presidency formally reaffirmed this ceasefire on July 19, calling for a “comprehensive and immediate” cessation of hostilities and deploying Interior Ministry forces to the region. However, despite these announcements, sporadic clashes, sectarian attacks, and armed raids persist, particularly in rural areas and volatile neighborhoods, underscoring the fragility of the situation.
The scale of the violence—marked by executions, kidnapping, looting, and sectarian targeting—has left communities traumatized and fearful of what may come next. Suweida, long seen as a relatively autonomous and stable province, is now a site of grave humanitarian concern.
In this urgent context, Femena has spoken directly with women human rights defenders (WHRDs) who are documenting the atrocities, demanding justice, and struggling to protect their communities. Their stories shed light on the human cost of this crisis—and the resilience of those determined to resist it.