Syria sees 'cautious calm' in Suweida after deadly clashes
"Activists have reported that Suweida has been experiencing a cautious calm since the early hours of Sunday morning," the monitoring group said. "Meanwhile, the Syrian government security forces closed roads leading to Suweida to tribes, using soil barriers to prevent vehicles from crossing, except for ambulances, in a move to contain tensions." SOHR added that the city remains under the control of local Druze fighters, while tribal gunmen have withdrawn from several areas within the province.Long-running tensions between Druze and Bedouin tribes erupted into deadly sectarian clashes a week ago, after the abduction of a Druze merchant on the road to the capital Damascus. Both Druze and Bedouin fighters have been accused of atrocities over the past seven days.On Saturday, Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a ceasefire and sent security forces to Suweida to end the fighting. It has been reported that Druze fighters pushed Bedouin gunmen out of the city on Saturday evening - but violence continued in other parts of the province. This has not been verified by the BBC.On Sunday morning, fighting could not be heard, AFP correspondents near Suweida reported.Meanwhile, the SOHR warned that the humanitarian situation in the city was worsening, pointing to a "severe shortage" of basic medical supplies. An unnamed resident said that aid was needed immediately, telling the Reuters news agency: "The smell of corpses is spread throughout the national hospital."Kenan Azzam, a local dentist speaking as the city was gripped by what he called a "tense calm", said the hospitals were "a disaster and out of service".A Suweida medic told AFP that "no relief or medical assistance" had entered the city before Sunday.
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The Guardian
11 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on Syria's hopes and fears: stability can't be built without the people
After five decades of Assad family rule, and almost 14 years of civil war, Syrians knew that establishing a brighter future was likely to be as fraught a struggle as removing their dictator had been. Many greeted the new president – Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaida fighter and leader of the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – with excitement, while minorities viewed him with a cautious optimism. Now sectarian violence threatens frail but genuine hopes of a better tomorrow. In March, hundreds of mostly Alawite civilians were massacred along the coast, after an ambush of security forces by supporters of the ousted dictator, Bashar al-Assad, a member of the sect. Then, this month, a dispute between a Bedouin tribesman and a member of the Druze minority in the southern region of Sweida swiftly escalated into horrific sectarian mass violence, involving Syrian government forces. Armed clashes, bombardments, summary executions and then Israeli airstrikes killed hundreds of people, including civilians. What is perhaps most alarming is the speed with which incidents can spiral, and the inability or unwillingness of the new government to control what is less an army than a ragbag of militias and warlords. Mr Sharaa has been adept at winning over his international audience, but much less so at addressing his domestic one. He has made gestures towards inclusivity, but substance has been much less evident. His leadership must straddle a fundamental contradiction: he needs to keep an extremist sectarian base on side – with Islamic State and others trying to lure members away – while reassuring the rest of a fragmented and deeply scarred country that he can protect them and meet at least their basic needs. The Assads weaponised intercommunal divisions to bolster their rule. Many people are seeking redress or retaliation for abuses committed under the old regime. The ubiquity of weapons after years of war and the desire of militia leaders to defend their interests adds to the danger, as does competition for scant economic resources. Israel's intervention this month – purportedly in defence of the Druze, a significant minority in Israel – has deepened the crisis. It has occupied additional territory and has clearly been working to reduce Syrian military capabilities and to undermine the leadership. Striking the defence ministry in Damascus didn't just send a message 'regarding the events in Sweida' but about its broader intentions. The US, which recognises that Syria's disintegration is not in its interests, has sought to rein Israel in and must continue doing so. Amid this bleak outlook, there are still notes of hope, especially in persistent grassroots efforts to tackle intercommunal violence through dialogue and to pursue transitional justice. These two priorities are interconnected: without ending impunity for the events of recent months and past decades, Syria cannot hope to establish the trust on which effective discussions depend. The government has paid lip service to transitional justice but has yet to name those it believes accountable for the slaughter in March – despite evidence on social media as well as from witnesses. It says there will be 'no tolerance' of abuses by anyone in Sweida. Terrified minorities will want to see proof of that assertion. Improved accountability, and commitment to building relations between communities, are not indulgences for happier and more prosperous times, but the foundation stones required for a successful nation. A Syria that is not inclusive and protective cannot hope to survive and thrive.
The Guardian
11 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Middle East crisis live: malnutrition in Gaza on ‘dangerous trajectory', says WHO, as airdrops of aid begin
Update: Date: 2025-07-27T17:38:10.000Z Title: Oxfam Content: WHO calls for urgent, sustained efforts to flood the Gaza Strip with food after Israeli military announces pause in activity Hayden Vernon (now); Yohannes Lowe and staff and agencies (earlier) Sun 27 Jul 2025 13.38 EDT First published on Sun 27 Jul 2025 01.36 EDT From 9.28am EDT 09:28 has said the airdrops into Gaza are wholly inadequate for the population's needs and has called for the immediate opening of all crossings for full humanitarian access into the territory devasted by relentless Israeli bombardments and a partial aid blockade. Bushra Khalidi, policy lead for the Occupied Palestinian territory, said: Deadly airdrops and a trickle of trucks won't undo months of engineered starvation in Gaza. What's needed is the immediate opening of all crossings for full, unhindered, and safe aid delivery across all of Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. Anything less risks being little more than a tactical gesture. Updated at 9.28am EDT 1.37pm EDT 13:37 Here are some more of Donald Trump's comments from that press conference: Trump said he had met with some families of Israeli hostages still trapped in Gaza. On the return of the hostages, he said: 'When you get it down to a certain number, you're not going to be able to make a deal with Hamas, because once they give them up, then they feel that that's going to be the end of them. 'And what I said is exactly true. You know, they had a routine discussion the other day and all of a sudden they hardened up. They don't want to give. them back. And so Israel is going to have to make a decision. I know what I'd do, but I don't think it's appropriate that I say, but Israel is going to have to make a decision.' On the images of starving children in Gaza, Trump said: 'Well, it's terrible. You know, when I see the children and when I see, especially over the last couple of weeks, and people are stealing the food, they're stealing the money, they're stealing weapons. They're stealing everything. It's a mess. That whole place is a mess.' Updated at 1.38pm EDT 1.19pm EDT 13:19 Speaking at a press conference alongside European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen ahead of their meeting in Scotland over a US-EU trade deal, Donald Trump was asked whether Israel should be doing more to get food into Gaza. He replied: 'You know, we gave $60m two weeks ago – and no one even acknowledged it – for food. And, it's terrible. You really at least want somebody to at least say thank you. No other country gave anything. We gave $60m two weeks ago for food for Gaza and nobody acknowledged it, nobody talks about it. And it makes you feel a little bad when you do that and you have other countries not giving anything.' The comments echo US vice president JD Vance's chiding of Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky in front of news cameras in February, when he asked Zelensky 'have you said thank you once?' for US military aid. Updated at 1.21pm EDT 1.00pm EDT 13:00 Prime Minister Keir Starmer will recall his cabinet from their summer break to discuss the situation in Gaza, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, amid growing pressure on the Labour government to recognise a Palestinian state, Reuters reports. The FT said the move to recall his cabinet of ministers next week was set out on Sunday by Downing Street. The UK parliament and cabinet are currently in a summer recess until 1 September. The recall comes after Starmer said on Friday the British government would recognise a Palestinian state only as part of a negotiated peace deal, disappointing many in his Labour Party who want him to follow France in taking swifter action. French president Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday France would recognise a Palestinian state, a plan that drew strong condemnation from Israel and the US after similar moves from Spain, Norway and Ireland last year. Starmer's approach to the issue has been complicated by the arrival in Scotland on Friday of Donald Trump, with whom he has built warm relations. In foreign policy terms, the UK has rarely diverged from the US. Starmer's office did not immediately reply to a request for comment from the news agency. Updated at 1.01pm EDT 12.50pm EDT 12:50 Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip, marked by a spike in deaths in July, the World Health Organization has said in a statement posted on social media. Of 74 malnutrition-related deaths in 2025, 63 occurred in July –including 24 children under five, a child over five, and 38 adults. Most of these people were declared dead on arrival at health facilities or died shortly after, their bodies showing clear signs of severe wasting. The crisis remains entirely preventable. Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid has cost many lives. Nearly one in five children under five in #Gaza City is now acutely malnourished, as reported by Nutrition Cluster partners. Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM), which measures the percentage of children aged 6–59 months suffering from acute malnutrition, has tripled since June, making it the worst-hit area in the Gaza Strip. In Khan Younis and the Middle Area, rates have doubled in less than one month. These figures are likely an underestimation due to the severe access and security constraints preventing many families from reaching health facilities … WHO calls for urgent, sustained efforts to flood the Gaza Strip with diverse, nutritious food and to expedite the delivery of therapeutic supplies for children and vulnerable groups, as well as essential medicines and supplies. This flow must remain consistent and unhindered to support recovery and prevent further deterioration. WHO reiterates its call for the protection of civilians and health. WHO also calls for the release of our detained colleague, the release of hostages, and for an immediate #ceasefire. Updated at 12.52pm EDT 12.31pm EDT 12:31 US president Donald Trump said on Sunday Israel would have to make a decision on its next steps in Gaza, adding that he did not know what would happen after moves by Israel to pull out of ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations with Hamas, Reuters reports. Trump underscored the importance to Israel of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, saying they had suddenly 'hardened' up on the issue. 'They don't want to give them back, and so Israel is going to have to make a decision,' Trump told reporters at the start of a meeting with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at his golf property in Turnberry, Scotland. 11.43am EDT 11:43 Syria is expected to hold its first parliamentary election under the new administration in September, the head of the electoral process told state news agency SANA, Reuters reports. Voting for the People's Assembly is expected to take place from 15-20 September, added the official, Mohamed Taha. Ahmed al-Sharaa has led Syria since the fall of the Assad regime late last year. Sharaa had previously said it could take up to four years for election to be held. 11.20am EDT 11:20 As reported earlier, Israeli forces seized the pro-Palestinian activist boat Handala in international waters and detained the crew late on Saturday. The boat was then taken into the port of Ashdod early on Sunday, AFP reports. The legal rights centre Adalah told AFP its lawyers were in Ashdod and had been allowed to speak to 19 members of the 21-strong international crew, which included two French parliamentarians and two Al Jazeera journalists. The remaining two of those detained were dual US and Israeli citizens and had been transferred to police custody, Adalah said. 'After 12 hours at sea, following the unlawful interception of the Handala, Israeli authorities confirmed the vessel's arrival at Ashdod port,' said the group, set up to campaign for the rights of Israel's Arab population. 'Adalah reiterates that the activists aboard the Handala were part of a peaceful civilian mission to break through Israel's illegal blockade on Gaza. The vessel was intercepted in international waters and their detention constitutes a clear violation of international law.' Earlier, the Israeli foreign ministry said the navy stopped the Handala to prevent it from entering the coastal waters off the territory of Gaza. 11.00am EDT 11:00 British foreign secretary David Lammy has said Israel's decision to pause military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and allow new aid corridors falls short of what is needed to alleviate suffering in the territory. Lammy said in a statement that Israel's announcement was 'essential but long overdue', and that access to aid must now be urgently accelerated over the coming hours and days. 'This announcement alone cannot alleviate the needs of those desperately suffering in Gaza,' Lammy said. 'We need a ceasefire that can end the war, for hostages to be released and aid to enter Gaza by land unhindered.' 10.45am EDT 10:45 The Israeli military said it had began a 'tactical pause' in the densely populated areas of Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi to 'increase the scale of humanitarian aid' into the Gaza strip. The pause would be repeated every day from 10am to 8pm local time until further notice and Israel would continue fighting in other areas of Gaza. The Israeli military said designated secure routes for convoys delivering food and medicine will also be in place between 6am and 11pm starting from Sunday. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said staff would step up efforts to feed the hungry during the pauses in the designated areas. Jordan and the UAE have reportedly carried out air drops into Gaza but said the amount of food being allowed to trickle into the devastated territory is totally inadequate for the population's need. Israel's pause in military action in parts of Gaza and the creation of humanitarian corridors has been cautiously welcomed by the UN but fuller access has been urged as calls for a permanent ceasefire were reiterated. The UN's food aid programme has warned that almost one in three people in the Gaza Strip are going for days without eating. There is a starvation crisis and widespread malnutrition in Gaza caused by the restriction of aid into the territory by Israel. At least 133 people, including 87 children, have died from malnutrition since Israel's war on Gaza began in 2023, the territory's health ministry said. You can read our latest report on Israel's war in Gaza here. 9.59am EDT 09:59 In a video statement released ahead of a conference on Palestine opening in New York tomorrow, the UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, has urged governments around the world to pressure Israel to end its assault on Gaza – and said those that don't use their 'leverage' may be complicit in 'international crimes'. Here is what he said in full: I urge immediate steps by Israel to end its unlawful continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, and for all parties to work for tangible progress towards a two state solution. I urge governments to use the opportunity of this conference for concrete action that puts all possible pressure on the Israeli government to end the carnage in Gaza permanently. Countries that fail to use their leverage may be complicit in international crimes. Every day we are watching the unspeakable tragedy in Gaza and the West Bank with horror and frustration. Every day we see more destruction, more killings and the further dehumanisation of Palestinians. The people of the world will judge this conference on what it delivers. I call again for an immediate, permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and all others arbitrarily detained, immediate and unhindered humanitarian access, and the delivery of massive humanitarian aid to Palestinians wherever they are. 9.28am EDT 09:28 has said the airdrops into Gaza are wholly inadequate for the population's needs and has called for the immediate opening of all crossings for full humanitarian access into the territory devasted by relentless Israeli bombardments and a partial aid blockade. Bushra Khalidi, policy lead for the Occupied Palestinian territory, said: Deadly airdrops and a trickle of trucks won't undo months of engineered starvation in Gaza. What's needed is the immediate opening of all crossings for full, unhindered, and safe aid delivery across all of Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. Anything less risks being little more than a tactical gesture. Updated at 9.28am EDT 8.54am EDT 08:54 In a post on X published after his phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu, Friedrich Merz added: We will closely monitor developments and, in coordination with France, the UK, other European partners, the United States, and Arab states, decide in the coming days how we can contribute to improving the situation.
Reuters
11 minutes ago
- Reuters
Trump says Israel will have to decide on next steps in Gaza, pledges more aid
TURNBERRY, Scotland, July 27 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday Israel would have to make a decision on next steps in Gaza, adding that he did not know what would happen after the collapse of ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations with the Hamas militant group. Trump underscored the importance of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, saying they had suddenly "hardened" up on the issue, and said the U.S. would provide more aid to the war-torn Palestinian enclave. "They don't want to give them back, and so Israel is going to have to make a decision," Trump told reporters at the start of a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his golf property in Turnberry, Scotland. "I know what I'd do, but I don't think it's appropriate that I say it. But Israel is going to have to make a decision," he said, while also claiming, without evidence, that Hamas members were stealing food coming into Gaza and selling it. Dozens of Gazans have died of malnutrition in recent weeks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave. The ministry reported six new deaths over the past 24 hours due to malnutrition, bringing the total deaths from malnutrition and hunger to 133 including 87 children. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, saying it had become clear that the Palestinian group did not want a deal. Netanyahu said Israel was now mulling "alternative" options to achieve its goals of bringing its hostages home from Gaza and ending Hamas rule in the enclave, where starvation is spreading and most of the population is homeless amid widespread ruin. Trump said he believed Hamas leaders would now be "hunted down", telling reporters: "Hamas really didn't want to make a deal. I think they want to die. And it's very bad. And it got to be to a point where you're going to have to finish the job." Trump on Sunday said the U.S. would provide more humanitarian aid to Gaza, where concerns are mounting about the worsening hunger, but wanted other countries to participate as well. He said he would discuss the issue with von der Leyen. "We're giving a lot of money, a lot of food, a lot of everything," he said. "If we weren't there, I think people would have starved, frankly. They would have starved, and it's not like they're eating well." He said he had spoken with Netanyahu and discussed a number of issues, including Iran. He said and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer would also discuss Israel when they meet at Trump's golf property in Turnberry on Monday. Trump also noted said the United States was not acknowledged for earlier food aid for Gaza. "No other country gave anything," he said, calling out European countries in particular. "It makes you feel a little bad when you do that and, you know, you have other countries not giving anything... Nobody gave but us. And nobody said, Gee, thank you very much. And it would be nice to have at least a thank you."
