The United Nations Security Council has voiced deep alarm over the sharp escalation of violence in Syria’s predominantly Druze Sweida region since mid-July, condemning attacks on civilians and calling for urgent humanitarian protection and access.

Unrest erupted on 12 July after a series of mutual kidnappings spiralled into armed clashes between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes, later drawing in Syrian security forces. The violence has been marked by reports of extrajudicial executions, corpse desecration, and widespread looting, with footage circulating on social media fuelling sectarian tensions and disinformation.

According to UN figures, nearly 192,000 people have been internally displaced as the conflict intensified.

In a presidential statement adopted on Sunday, the 15-member Council strongly condemned the violence against civilians and urged all parties to respect a ceasefire, uphold international humanitarian law, and ensure the protection of civilians, including medical and humanitarian workers.

“The Council is deeply concerned by the recent fighting, which has included mass killings, and calls on all parties to ensure the protection of the civilian population,” the statement read.

The Security Council demanded “full, safe, rapid, and unhindered” humanitarian access to affected communities, stressing the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. It also underscored the humane treatment of all combatants, including those wounded, detained, or who have surrendered.

The statement urged Syria’s interim authorities to safeguard all citizens “regardless of ethnicity or religion” and warned that recovery in the country would be impossible without genuine security and protection for all Syrians. While welcoming the authorities’ condemnation of the violence and pledge to investigate, the Council called for “credible, swift, transparent, impartial, and comprehensive investigations” in line with international standards.

Reaffirming resolution 2254 (2015), the Council reiterated its commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, and cautioned against “negative or destructive interference” that could further destabilise the country.

It also recalled the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and the role of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in monitoring the Syria-Israel border in the Golan Heights, urging all parties to comply to maintain calm.

On terrorism, the Council expressed grave concern over the ongoing threat from foreign terrorist fighters linked to ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida, citing the latest report from its Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team. It called for decisive action to eliminate these groups in compliance with relevant resolutions.

Looking ahead, the Security Council repeated its call for an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process to safeguard the rights of all Syrians and enable them to “peacefully, independently, and democratically determine their futures.” (ILKHA)