Khaberni -Syrian sources reported -on Sunday- that a humanitarian aid convoy entered the city of Sweida in southern Syria, while Hikmat al-Hijri (a Druze Sheikh al-Aql) refused the entry of the official government delegation, coinciding with the Syrian police deployment on the outskirts of the city.
The Syrian News Agency (SANA) quoted the media office of the Syrian Ministry of Health stating that al-Hijri refused entry to the official government delegation accompanying the aid convoy to the Sweida province after opening safe passages as part of a ceasefire agreement in the province.
While "the Spiritual Leadership of the Druze Unitarians in Sweida" welcomed all humanitarian aid through organizations and international bodies," the Syrian Ministry of Health confirmed that al-Hijri only allowed the Syrian Red Crescent to enter Sweida, with convoys returning with the government delegation to Damascus.
Syrian Minister of Health Musab al-Ali stated that the convoy moved -on Sunday- after the withdrawal of tribal fighters from the city of Sweida and the implementation of the ceasefire announced by the Syrian presidency yesterday, Saturday.
Al-Ali clarified that the ceasefire in the province resulted in the establishment of safe passages to access the National Hospital in Sweida, to provide aid "to the Syrian people and all those who deserve it."
He noted that the convoy had been prepared several days ago, but could not enter Sweida due to bombing by Israeli occupation aircraft.
The Syrian Ministry of Health -in a post on the X platform- stated that the medical and food aid convoy was accompanied by a ministerial delegation including the Minister of Health Musab al-Ali, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, and the governor of Sweida Mustafa al-Bakkor, in coordination with the Syrian Red Crescent.
And "SANA" outlined that the medical convoy includes 20 ambulances, specialized medical teams, and large quantities of medicines and emergency supplies, mentioning that the convoy was prepared by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Ministries of Emergency and Disaster Management and Social Affairs and Labor, as well as relevant UN agencies.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, called upon local groups in Sweida not to interfere with humanitarian teams, confirming that a part of the aid convoy was not allowed by local groups to enter Sweida.
Al-Saleh told Al Jazeera that the aid convoys are ready to enter Sweida at any time, and their goal is "to deliver aid and provide medical services to all residents of the city."
And yesterday, Saturday, the Syrian Ministry of Health announced the immediate movement to send an urgent medical convoy to Sweida in response to the opening of safe passages in the province, shortly after the Ministry of Interior announced the clearing of Sweida from all tribal fighters and stopping the clashes within the city districts.
De-escalating the Situation
In turn, the Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khatib -on Sunday- stated that the internal security forces succeeded in de-escalating the situation within the province after their deployment in the northern and western parts of it, following days of violence in Sweida.
Khatib explained that the internal security forces managed to enforce the ceasefire in Sweida, preparing for a phase of prisoner exchange and the gradual return of stability to the province.
He added that the deployment of internal security forces represents a safety valve for stability and de-escalation, and a first step in controlling the chaos of weapons and establishing a state of security, stating "our compass is a complete ceasefire, allowing the state to resume its role in restoring normal life in the city of Sweida and all parts of the province."
On July 13, armed clashes broke out between Bedouin tribes and Druze groups in Sweida, followed by movements of government forces towards the area to impose security, but they were attacked by groups described as "outlaws," resulting in the deaths of dozens of soldiers.
In its efforts to contain the crisis, the Syrian government announced four ceasefire agreements in Sweida, the latest being yesterday, Saturday.
The previous three ceasefire agreements did not last long, as clashes resumed the day before yesterday, Friday, following a group led by Hikmat al-Hijri displacing a number of Bedouin tribes and committing violations against them.
Under the pretext of "protecting the Druze," Israel exploited the recent disturbances in Sweida and escalated its aggression against Syria, launching intense air raids last Wednesday on four provinces, including the General Staff headquarters and the vicinity of the presidential palace in Damascus.
Since the fall of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Israel has intensified its intervention in southern Syria, citing "protection of the Druze minority," despite Damascus's assurances of its commitment to the rights of all constituents in the country.
