Sweida displaced residents struggle as food, medical, and shelter shortages

Residents from the western rural villages of Sweida described the hardships caused by ongoing displacement and forced evacuation by Transitional Government forces and affiliated militias. They stressed the urgent need for support in the form of food, medical supplies, and basic living necessities.

Samir Al-Kafiri, a displaced resident, recounted losing his daughter to sniper fire by the “General Security” forces and sustaining injuries to his wife, adding that his home was burned, leaving him with nowhere to go.

Zuhair Zahr Al-Din from the town of Wulga described fleeing his home after intense bombardment. Although he returned briefly to check on his property, sniper attacks forced him to relocate again to the town of Al-Raha.

Tariq Shahab Al-Din highlighted the pressing need for food and medical aid, emphasizing that the residents live in dire conditions, worsened by months of unpaid salaries.

Nizar Masoud, supervisor of the displacement center in Al-Raha, noted that available facilities are limited. Tens of families and schools, housing hundreds of people, have been converted into temporary shelters. He added that the displaced originate from western rural villages still occupied by Transitional Government forces.

The living conditions in Sweida have deteriorated significantly over the past months, with state employees in the region not receiving salaries for four months. The western rural areas of Sweida have experienced military escalation since mid-July this year, following violent clashes between Transitional Government forces, who attacked the area, and the National Guard, who tried to resist. These clashes resulted in hundreds of casualties and the forced displacement of thousands of residents.

a.k

ANHA