A second convoy of forcibly displaced individuals, including Christians, Bedouins, and UN mission personnel with their families, left Syria's Sweida province today due to rising violence and instability. The evacuation highlights growing concerns over the safety of minority groups and international staff in the region.

Second Convoy of Forcibly Displaced Individuals Leaves Sweida Amid Escalating Tensions

Sweida, Syria – July 25, 2025 — A second convoy carrying forcibly displaced individuals departed from Sweida province today, as tensions in southern Syria continue to displace vulnerable populations. The convoy included Christian and Bedouin families, as well as personnel from the United Nations mission and their dependents, marking a significant escalation in the region’s humanitarian crisis.

The movement comes just days after the first convoy left the area, following a partial ceasefire that has done little to quell local violence and insecurity. While some regions have experienced a lull in clashes, others remain volatile, prompting urgent evacuations.

Diverse Groups Uprooted by Conflict

According to local sources and humanitarian organizations, today’s convoy was composed of over 300 individuals, including entire families from Christian and Bedouin communities. Many of them had remained in Sweida for generations and were reluctant to leave until the threat of violence became imminent.

“Our community has lived here for hundreds of years, but the fear and chaos forced us to leave,” said Fadia, a displaced Christian woman from a village near Shahba. “We don’t know where we will go next, but at least we are safe for now.”

Also among those relocated were members of the United Nations’ local mission, along with their spouses and children. The UN had recently downsized its operations in Sweida due to deteriorating security conditions and threats against international personnel.

A Coordinated Humanitarian Operation

The convoy was organized in coordination with local councils, humanitarian agencies, and international observers. Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) volunteers escorted the vehicles to temporary shelters in the neighboring province of Daraa, where humanitarian aid and basic services have been mobilized.

“This was a highly sensitive and logistically complex operation,” said a UN field officer speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are deeply concerned for those who remain behind, especially vulnerable groups who may not have the means to evacuate.”

Security forces reportedly cleared the route hours before departure, ensuring safe passage through potentially dangerous territory. UN officials confirmed that more evacuations may follow in the coming days if the situation fails to improve.

Ongoing Violence Undermines Ceasefire

Though a ceasefire was announced last week, clashes between rival armed groups, and sporadic shelling in rural Sweida, have undermined its effectiveness. Civilians continue to report arbitrary arrests, kidnappings, and destruction of property.

The displacement of religious and ethnic minorities has sparked fresh concerns among human rights organizations, who warn that the forced relocation of these groups could further destabilize the social fabric of the region.

Calls for International Action

The United Nations and various NGOs have called for renewed diplomatic efforts to reinforce the ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians, especially minorities. “What we are witnessing is not just a humanitarian crisis, but the erasure of entire communities from their ancestral homes,” said a representative from the International Crisis Response Network.

As the convoy reaches its temporary destination, many of the displaced remain uncertain about their future — hoping for stability, but preparing for a prolonged period of hardship and displacement.