Nearly a year after deadly sectarian violence rocked Syria's southern Sweida province, efforts to mend divisions and stabilize the region have stalled, a United Nations official warned.
A UN investigation in March revealed that over 1,700 people, predominantly from the Druze religious sect and the Bedouin community, were killed in Sweida province in July 2025. The investigation suggested that Syrian government forces, tribal fighters, and Druze armed groups may have committed war crimes.
A government-led roadmap, launched in September 2025 with international backing, aimed to restore order and repair relations among Druze factions, Bedouins, and the government. However, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Claudio Cordone, informed the Security Council that "there has been no progress on the implementation of the September 2025 roadmap of confidence-building and reintegration in Sweida."
Cordone highlighted that underlying issues remain unresolved, with some Druze calls for secession threatening Syria’s unity. He noted that kidnappings, counter-kidnappings, and rivalries among Druze factions continue to undermine security. Furthermore, 13,500 students in Sweida were unable to take national examinations due to mediation failures over location and security, marking the second consecutive year of missed exams for most students in the province.
Syrian officials, including Sweida Governor Mustafa al-Bakour, have attributed the lack of progress to obstruction by Druze armed groups, which they claim hinder the restoration of state institutions and services. Governor Bakour stated that the government continues to fund salaries, support healthcare and education, and rebuild infrastructure, while rejecting accusations of restricting supplies to the province. Conversely, Druze leaders assert they are protecting their community and accuse Damascus of eroding trust through its actions during last year's clashes.
The envoy also expressed concerns regarding Syria's broader political transition, noting that the transitional parliament has not been constituted more than eight months after elections, generating anxiety. Syria's Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
