Druze Leader Appeals to UN to End Siege on Syria's Sweida

Spiritual leader of the Druze community, Sheikh موفق طريف (Muwaffaq Tarif), has sent an urgent message to the United Nations and international bodies calling for an end to the renewed siege on the Syrian city of Sweida. He described the blockade, which has intensified over the past two weeks, as a continuation of last summer's attacks aimed at intimidating residents and undermining their rights and status in the Druze Mountain region.

The siege has severely restricted the entry of food and fuel, leading to the near-paralysis of hospitals, a shortage of drinking water, and widespread power and internet outages. Sheikh Tarif highlighted that these harsh conditions disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, including the sick, elderly, women, and children, warning that the situation could escalate into a humanitarian catastrophe.

He also pointed to systematic media disinformation intended to obscure the reality on the ground and mislead the international community. Sheikh Tarif urged international bodies to work towards lifting all forms of the blockade and to provide civilian and humanitarian support to Sweida and the Druze Mountain, drawing a parallel to aid provided in other global conflict zones.

Sheikh Tarif emphasized that international intervention is now a critical necessity to prevent a further deterioration of the situation. His message, accompanied by data and facts about the current conditions, was also directed to UN agencies and relevant embassies. He is also maintaining contact with the Israeli Prime Minister's office and security agencies, warning of worsening conditions and urging action on all fronts before it is too late.

"The siege imposed on Sweida affects people's lives and their basic rights, and we call on the international community to take immediate action to lift the siege and provide humanitarian support before the situation deteriorates beyond repair," Sheikh Tarif stated in his message.