France has urged an immediate halt to the reported violence against civilians in Syria’s Sweida province, following allegations of brutal crackdowns by government forces.
On Wednesday, French authorities voiced grave concern over findings by a war monitoring group, which accused regime troops of carrying out summary executions along with other serious human rights abuses in the largely Druze-populated region.
Paris called on Damascus to respect fundamental rights and ensure civilian protection amid growing reports of targeted attacks in the area, which has remained tense since demonstrations erupted over worsening economic conditions and governance failures.
“The abuses targeting civilians, which we strongly condemn, must stop,” the foreign ministry said, calling for an “immediate cessation of clashes” and urging all sides to respect a ceasefire.
On Tuesday, Syrian government troops moved into Sweida, a predominantly Druze city, ostensibly to uphold a ceasefire brokered with Druze leaders after fierce clashes with Bedouin tribes left over 100 people dead.
However, accounts from residents suggest that instead of maintaining peace, government forces joined Bedouin fighters in carrying out violent assaults against Druze combatants and civilians alike, leaving the city reeling.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group with extensive local networks, reported that at least 21 Druze civilians were executed summarily by government troops and allied militias during the operation.
France has since issued a statement urging Damascus to halt what it described as “abuses targeting civilians” in Sweida, warning that such actions risk further destabilising the already fragile region.
Syria has been navigating a delicate transition since Islamist-led forces ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war.
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“France supports the efforts of the Syrian transitional authorities and the leaders of the Sweida region to restore dialogue and hopes for a lasting agreement to strengthen the unity, stability, and sovereignty of Syria, as well as the safety of all Syrians,” Paris said.
During a meeting in early May, French President Emmanuel Macron pressed Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to guarantee the safety and rights of all communities in Syria, particularly in light of recent deadly attacks against the country’s Alawite and Druze minorities.
Later in the month, the European Union moved to ease economic sanctions on Syria, framing it as an effort to support national reconstruction after years of war. However, the bloc simultaneously imposed fresh sanctions targeting three Syrian militia groups and two of their commanders, citing their involvement in violent assaults predominantly affecting the Alawite population, which was closely linked to former president Bashar al-Assad.