New restrictions on Damascus–Sweida Road tighten siege

Sweida is witnessing a noticeable tightening of restrictions imposed by the authorities of the interim government on the movement of goods along the Damascus–Sweida road, amid local complaints about new measures that deepen the siege and negatively affect residents’ living conditions.

12 January, 2026 19:13

NEWS DESK

Local sources reported the imposition of additional restrictions and stricter procedures on the transport of goods on the Damascus–Sweida road, in what residents described as an intensification of the siege by the interim government under various pretexts.

According to testimonies from several residents, goods entering or leaving Sweida now require approval from the office of Mustafa Bakour. The sources confirmed that these measures have been increasingly enforced in recent days.

The testimonies indicated that yesterday shipments of apples heading from Sweida to Damascus were turned back, in addition to other goods being subjected to prior approvals, including car parts, tires, solar panels, batteries, flour, and other essential commodities.

Witnesses also reported that a request to approve the entry of a vehicle carrying oxygen gas cylinders was rejected, raising fears of serious humanitarian consequences, particularly for the health sector.

Local sources stress that these practices come within the context of ongoing violations against the people of Sweida, considering that talk of a “humanitarian crossing” clearly contradicts the measures implemented on the ground, which reflect a policy of continued pressure and siege.

ANHA