Relative calm returned to Suwayda province in southern Syria on Sunday, August 3, following clashes in the region. The Bosra al-Sham humanitarian corridor was reopened a day after its closure.
According to Enab Baladi’s correspondent, tensions subsided around Suwayda after fighting ceased near Tel al-Hadid, following the withdrawal of local factions and the recapture of the area by government forces.
The reporter also confirmed that the Bosra al-Sham crossing, located at the administrative border between Daraa and Suwayda, has been reopened.
Government Statement and Evacuations
On Monday, August 4, the state-run al-Ikhbariyah channel cited an unnamed source in the Interior Ministry confirming the reopening of the Bosra al-Sham humanitarian crossing, claiming the area had been secured and the “threat of rebel groups”—referring to factions loyal to Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri—had been removed.
A day earlier, Enab Baladi’s Daraa correspondent reported that the Interior Ministry had temporarily closed the crossing until the area was deemed safe.
According to the Syria Civil Defense, 90 families—totaling 316 individuals, including women and children—have exited Suwayda individually via the Bosra al-Sham corridor.
Meanwhile, eight families (31 people) returned to Suwayda through the same crossing.
As of the time of publication, Enab Baladi had not recorded the entry of any humanitarian aid convoys into Suwayda since the crossing’s initial closure.
Internet Disruptions
Local news pages, including al-Rasid and Suwayda 24, reported unexplained disruptions to the ADSL internet service in parts of Suwayda, though no official reason has been given.
Renewed Clashes
Suwayda witnessed renewed clashes between Syrian Internal Security Forces and tribal fighters, on one side, and local factions in Suwayda, on the other, around Tel al-Hadid, near the town of al-Thaala in the western countryside.
According to Enab Baladi’s correspondent, security forces withdrew Sunday morning after being attacked by local factions. The clashes reportedly left five security personnel dead and others wounded, who were transported to al-Hirak Hospital in eastern Daraa countryside.
The fighting subsided after several hours, and government forces regained control of the strategic hill, which overlooks Suwayda city.
Government and Ministry Statements
The Syrian Interior Ministry stated via its official Facebook page on Sunday that what it described as “rebel gangs” in Suwayda had violated the ceasefire agreement by attacking internal security forces on multiple fronts and shelling villages with rockets and mortars.
The statement claimed that since the ceasefire began, the Syrian state—through its military, security, civil, and service institutions—has been working to uphold the agreement and restore stability in the province.
No internal security forces are currently deployed in central Suwayda. Prior to Sunday’s offensive, they were stationed only on the outskirts of the province and held control over Tel al-Hadid and Tel al-Aqra in the western countryside.
Casualty Figures and Investigation
According to figures from the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), at least 814 Syrians have been killed in Suwayda since tensions began on July 13, including 34 women, 20 children, six medical personnel, and two media workers.
In response, the Syrian Ministry of Justice has formed a committee to investigate recent events in Suwayda, under Decision No. 1287, issued on July 31.
The committee is tasked with investigating the circumstances and causes of the violence, documenting violations against civilians, and referring those proven to be involved in attacks or abuses to the judiciary.