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United Nations

Escalating Violence in Sweida: UN Secretary-General Expresses Alarm and Condemns Strikes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed alarm at the escalating violence in Sweida, a predominantly Druze city in southern Syria, where more than 200 people have reportedly been killed. The Secretary-General also condemned Israel's airstrikes on the city, as well as on pro-government forces and the defense ministry in Damascus. The strikes have put civilians at risk, with significant displacement and damage to critical infrastructure, including water, electricity, and telecommunications networks. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, has said that the UN and its partners plan to assess the needs and provide essential assistance in Sweida as soon as conditions allow.

Key Takeaways:

  • More than 200 people have been killed in sectarian violence in Sweida, a predominantly Druze city in southern Syria.
  • Israel has conducted airstrikes on the city, citing a defensive move in support of the Druze community, which has a significant presence within Israel and in the Israeli-occupied Golan.
  • The UN Secretary-General has condemned the airstrikes, as well as the escalated violence, and has called on Israel to cease any violations of Syria's sovereignty.
  • The UN humanitarian coordinator in Syria has announced plans to assess the needs and provide essential assistance in Sweida as soon as conditions allow.
  • Medical services in Sweida and the neighboring Daraa Governorate are overstretched, and hospitals are almost at capacity.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched emergency medical supplies to Daraa, but deliveries to Sweida have yet to get through due to the fighting.

Statistics:

  • Over 200 people have been killed in sectarian violence in Sweida.
  • The airstrikes have put civilians at risk, with significant displacement and damage to critical infrastructure, including water, electricity, and telecommunications networks.
  • The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria has stated that medical services in Sweida and the neighboring Daraa Governorate are overstretched, with hospitals almost at capacity.

Sources:

  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres
  • UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric
  • UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula
  • World Health Organization (WHO)

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