The Druze-majority city of Sweida in southern Syria is experiencing severe shortages of essential goods, with residents blaming the Damascus government for imposing a de facto blockade following internal clashes and the withdrawal of government forces.
Hoda Kiwan, a 59-year-old bakery owner, described the critical scarcity of flour and fuel, stating, "I am suffering from a shortage of gas and flour, especially after the road was cut off, but there is nothing I can do." The situation has been exacerbated since July 2025, when clashes erupted between Druze factions and Bedouin fighters, leading to intervention by government security forces and tribal groups. These events resulted in over 2,000 deaths, including 789 Druze civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Following the clashes, during which government forces and their allies were accused of abuses, Damascus and its forces withdrew from Sweida, leaving a fragile ceasefire. The city and its environs are now largely isolated, with the main road to the capital intermittently closed. Although the Syrian government denies imposing a siege or closing the road, local sources and independent watchdogs report significant restrictions on the entry of trucks and goods. Residents complain of a lack of basic necessities, including fuel and food, with reports of even medicine being restricted.
Tensions have persisted for over a year, leading to disruptions such as students being unable to sit official exams in government-controlled areas of Sweida, with both Damascus and Druze groups trading blame. Frequent and prolonged power outages have affected livelihoods, with one carpenter, Adham al-Qutaini, lamenting, "After the power cuts... my livelihood has been cut off." Many residents are forced to contend with the daily struggle of meeting financial obligations amidst these disruptions.
The recent increase in fuel prices by the Syrian government has compounded the existing hardships in the province, which was already grappling with fuel shortages. Taxi driver Jamal Deeb noted, "The increase in fuel prices has affected us greatly, and the high price of gasoline has directly impacted our work." This difficult situation unfolds in the absence of a clear political resolution, despite previous announcements of a roadmap for Sweida by Syria, Jordan, and the United States.
Residents live under a cloud of "constant anxiety," as described by Mounif Rashid, 52. He expressed profound concern for his daughter, who lives on the outskirts of the city, fearing renewed attacks with every ceasefire breach. The lack of essential supplies and the pervasive insecurity have created an environment of sustained unease within the province.
