Ceasefire in Suwayda under strain as UN convenes emergency Syria session

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on July 17 to address the escalating military and political crisis in Syria, following intense armed clashes in Suwayda and a wave of Israeli airstrikes across Syrian territory.

According to Syrian media, the discussions centred on the deteriorating security situation in Suwayda — a province with a predominantly Druze population — and recent Israeli attacks on Damascus and other major Syrian cities, Caliber.Az reports.

Council members expressed solidarity with the Syrian people and reaffirmed their support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

The representative of the Arab Group at the Security Council accused Israel of routinely ignoring UN resolutions related to Syria. “Israel, as usual, is ignoring Security Council resolutions concerning Syria and its sovereignty,” he said.

He added that “the security and stability of Syria are an integral part of the international security system.” The Arab representative also welcomed the commitment of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to bring to justice all those responsible for violations against civilians in Suwayda.

Despite the ceasefire announced a day earlier, the situation on the ground remained volatile. On the night of July 18, Israeli warplanes launched fresh airstrikes on the outskirts of Suwayda city.

The province, which had been vacated by Syrian government troops following the ceasefire, had just seen control over local law enforcement handed over to a joint committee comprising representatives of the central government and Druze religious leaders.

Clashes had first erupted in the city on July 14, leaving at least 34 people dead during fighting between government forces and local Druze armed factions. In response to the deteriorating situation, a ceasefire was declared on July 17 as Syrian troops began withdrawing from the province under the terms of a power-sharing arrangement.

However, on July 18, President al-Sharaa issued a statement accusing Druze militants of violating the terms of the ceasefire. He also condemned what he described as Israel’s “continued blatant interference in Syria’s internal affairs,” warning that such actions were “fueling further chaos and destruction” and aggravating the crisis in the region.

The Israeli military’s July 16 airstrikes had targeted the Syrian Armed Forces General Staff building and a site near the presidential palace in Damascus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operations, citing Israel’s “commitment to maintaining the demilitarised zone in southwestern Syria and protecting the local Druze population.”

The United States distanced itself from the Israeli attacks. “The United States did not support the recent Israeli strikes,” said State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. She added that Washington is engaged in high-level diplomatic talks with both Israel and Syria “to resolve the current crisis and reach a lasting agreement between the two sovereign states.”

By Tamilla Hasanova