Suwayda leaders urge Jordan and global community to open humanitarian corridor amid crisis

SUWAYDA, Syria — Calls for a humanitarian corridor to deliver vital aid to civilians in Syria’s southern province of Suwayda have intensified as the region reels from escalating violence and a prolonged electricity blackout. Local leaders and activists warn that inaction could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.

Political representatives and members of the Suwayda Civil-Military Council issued a public appeal this week, urging Jordan and the international community to facilitate the delivery of emergency supplies. They highlighted the dire consequences of the ongoing crisis, exacerbated by coordinated attacks on civilians in Suwayda, Ashrafieh Sahnaya, and Jaramana. Activists allege that these incidents were either sanctioned or ignored by the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) which assumed power after the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024.

Calls for Autonomy and Protection

Wael Nader and Amir Harb, council members, accused the STG of neglecting Syria’s diverse communities in favor of centralized decision-making. They called for international backing to establish a federal, autonomous administration in Suwayda, describing it as essential for safeguarding the province’s population.

“We are facing existential risks,” said Nader in a public statement. “Suwayda requires international support to achieve self-governance and ensure the safety and basic rights of its people.”

Accusations of Ethnic Cleansing

Human rights advocate Ahlam Abu Turabi voiced grave concerns, alleging that recent violence forms part of a broader “systematic project of ethnic cleansing” targeting minorities across Syria. She accused the transitional government of complicity and called for immediate international intervention.

“We are witnessing a dangerous escalation,” Abu Turabi said. “The silence of the global community emboldens those who aim to erase entire communities from Syria’s future.”

Abu Turabi also pointed to attacks in Syria’s coastal regions earlier this year as evidence of an ongoing pattern of aggression against minority populations.

As Suwayda endures its second day without electricity, essential services such as hospitals, clinics, and schools are facing severe strain. Local officials describe the outage as a “critical emergency,” with no timeline for restoration, deepening fears of abandonment among the province’s residents.

Direct Plea to Jordan and International Agencies

The leaders’ statement specifically appealed to Jordan to permit the passage of humanitarian convoys into Suwayda. They argued that such action could save lives and prevent a mass exodus of civilians. The appeal also places pressure on international humanitarian organizations to intervene promptly before conditions worsen.

Diplomatic observers note that while Jordan is already managing a significant Syrian refugee population, the escalating crisis in Suwayda may compel a reassessment of regional strategies, particularly if violence continues to escalate.

As of now, neither Jordan nor major international actors have issued an official response to the appeal, leaving the situation in Suwayda precariously unresolved.