By Feras Dalatey
June 22 – A United Nations official warned on Monday that efforts to restore divisions and stabilise southern Syria have stalled almost a yr after lethal sectarian violence in a Druze-majority province shook the nation.
A U.N. investigation in March discovered greater than 1,700 individuals, most civilian members of the Druze spiritual sect and a few members of the Bedouin group, have been killed in southern Sweida province in July 2025. It mentioned Syrian authorities forces, tribal fighters and Druze armed teams might have dedicated conflict crimes.
A government-led, internationally backed roadmap launched in September 2025 was supposed to revive order and restore relations amongst Druze factions, Bedouins and the federal government.
U.N. Deputy Particular Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone instructed the Safety Council on Monday: “There was no progress on the implementation of the September 2025 roadmap of confidence-building and reintegration in Sweida.”
Cordone mentioned underlying points remained unresolved whereas calls from some Druze for the province to secede have threatened Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. Whereas they make up the overwhelming majority of Sweida’s inhabitants, the Druze are a minority in Syria as an entire.
Kidnappings, counter-kidnappings and rivalries amongst Druze factions continued to undermine safety within the province, he added.
The envoy mentioned 13,500 college students in Sweida have been unable to sit down nationwide examinations this month after U.N.-supported mediation did not resolve disagreements over location and safety. Most college students within the province have now missed exams for 2 consecutive years, in keeping with the U.N.
The remarks underscored the challenges going through Syria’s transitional authorities in Sweida, which has been a political and safety flashpoint because the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
Syrian officers together with Sweida Governor Mustafa al-Bakour, an appointee of the Damascus authorities, argue Druze armed teams have hindered progress. He instructed Qatari-owned Syria TV in April that these factions obstructed efforts to revive state establishments, enhance providers and rebuild belief. Bakour mentioned the federal government continued to fund public salaries, assist healthcare and training and restore infrastructure in Sweida regardless of safety challenges. He mentioned Damascus remained dedicated to dialogue and rejected Druze factions’ accusations that the central authorities has restricted meals and different provides to the province.
Druze leaders, who don’t communicate with a unified voice, have pushed again, saying they’re safeguarding their group after final yr’s violence and accusing Damascus of eroding belief by its conduct throughout the clashes.
Cordone additionally cited issues in regards to the nation’s political transition, noting Syria’s transitional parliament has not been constituted greater than eight months after elections. President Ahmed al-Sharaa should nonetheless appoint a 3rd of the its members.
“The delay is producing nervousness,” Cordone instructed the Safety Council.
Syria’s Ministry of Info didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
(Reporting by Feras Dalatey in Dubai; Modifying by Cynthia Osterman)
