Bread shortage hits Sweida as flour deliveries stop

Sweida is experiencing a severe crisis in securing bread today, after all bakeries stopped operating due to depleted flour stocks and the interruption of weekly deliveries, amid heightened security tensions and the closure of the Damascus–Sweida road.

9 February, 2026 19:36

NEWS DESK- SWEIDA

Local sources reported that the Mutawneh checkpoint, controlled by factions of the Interim Government in Syria, for the second consecutive day prevented a World Food Programme convoy carrying approximately 402 tons of flour, along with an accompanying humanitarian aid convoy, from passing through. This led to an almost complete paralysis of basic supply movements, including fuel tankers and commercial convoys.

Alaa Mahna, Director of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Sweida, told local media that weekly supplies delivered through organizations are insufficient for the governorate’s needs. Sweida actually requires 750 tons of flour weekly, but currently only 500 tons arrive, forcing the Directorate to regulate bakery operations according to available quantities.

Mahna noted that the delay in shipments this week was due to security developments in the village of Mutawneh, which on Saturday witnessed a massacre committed by members of the Interim Government against several villagers during olive harvesting, preventing the convoys from arriving on schedule.

Residents of Sweida are living in a state of anxiety and anger due to the continued bread shortage, with no signs of new shipments arriving at the time of reporting, amid worsening living conditions caused by ongoing fuel shortages and halted supply movements.

ANHA