Syrian Interior Ministry Denies Imposing Siege on Sweida and Confirms Opening Humanitarian Corridors

The official spokesperson for the Syrian Ministry of Interior, Nour Al-Din Al-Baba, denied the rumors about imposing a siege on the Sweida governorate, describing such news as "lies and deception." This came in his statements on the "X" platform, where he confirmed that the government "has opened humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to civilians inside the governorate in cooperation with local and international humanitarian organizations, and to facilitate the temporary exit of those who wish to leave areas not under the control of law-breaking groups."

Al-Baba added that the siege allegations are "propaganda launched by law-breaking groups to promote the opening of illegal crossings with the surroundings of Sweida inside and outside the republic, to revive the arms and Captagon trade that constitutes a primary source of funding for these groups." He also pointed out that "the return of legitimate institutions to operate in enforcing the rule of law within the Sweida governorate threatens the presence of law-breaking gangs in it, affecting their illegal funding," noting that these groups "exploit the humanitarian crisis in Sweida to enhance their criminal activities."

In recent weeks, Sweida has witnessed a deterioration in humanitarian conditions due to clashes between local armed factions and tribes, in addition to Israeli shelling and government security operations. This has led to a severe shortage of food, flour, and fuel, as well as damage to the medical sector after the national hospital was damaged and the shortage of medical supplies was not compensated for.

After a relative improvement in the security situation, the Syrian government, in cooperation with local and international organizations, sent convoys of aid including food, medical supplies, and quantities of fuel to meet the needs of service facilities. Thousands of families were also secured to leave Sweida for Damascus, Daraa, and other provinces via buses to the Basra al-Sham crossing, where the Syrian Civil Defense transported them to their destinations.

Despite the efforts made, commercial activities remain suspended due to security conditions, with those wishing to enter the governorate facing difficulties related to the lack of safety guarantees. Edim and Sorno, Director of Operations and Advocacy at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, confirmed that security conditions hinder the arrival of international teams to Sweida, further complicating the humanitarian crisis.

The Syrian government is making efforts in coordination with the Red Crescent and internal security to ensure the safety of civilians and facilitate aid delivery, but security and logistical challenges persist.