In mid-October 2025, the Syria Mine Action AoR reported that ‘critical infrastructure’ had been damaged or destroyed during the violence in July 2025.1287 UNCOI reported widespread devastation with tens of thousands of homes, places of worship and businesses destroyed, particularly in Druze villages. Almost all homes, places of worship and businesses in around 35 Druze-majority or mixed-population villages were reportedly burned and looted.1288 Syria Mine Action AoR also reported that all schools in Sweida were closed between 22 October 2025 and 4 November 2025 for security reasons.1289 In February 2026, SOHR reported that the National Guard Forces had announced the closure of the Sweida-Damascus highway in Sweida governorate following attacks on civilians by unknown armed men.1290 In March 2026, SOHR reported that clashes on the western Sweida frontlines had rendered the high-voltage power line, which feeds transformer stations in Sweida and Shahba cities, out of service.1291 In February 2026, Sweida’s governor reportedly dismissed claims1292 that the governorate was under siege, which was preventing the supply of sufficient food, water, medicine and fuel, resulting in shortages of resources.1293
Former frontline areas, including those in Sweida governorate, were reportedly particularly affected by ERW contamination.1294 SNHR reported that Sweida recorded the sixth-highest number of landmine victims between 8 December 2024 and April 2026, with 22 victims, accounting for 6.94 % of the total.1295 As of January 2026, 52 % of key informants in an IOM assessment monitoring return movements and conditions for reintegration1296 reported the presence of mines or unexploded ordnance in Sweida.1297 During the reporting period, sources reported several incidents in Sweida governorate in which civilians were killed or injured by explosions caused by ERW,1298 including children.1299
- 1287
Mine Action AoR, Syria, Situation Update No. 5, 15 October 2025, url, p. 4
- 1288
OHCHR, UN Syria Commission releases report on July massacres and other grave violations committed in Suwayda and calls for expanded accountability measures, 27 March 2026, url
- 1289
Mine Action AoR, Syria, Situation Update No. 5, 15 October 2025, url, p. 4
- 1290
SOHR, Until further notice | Al-Suwaidaa-Damascus highway blocked, 8 February 2026, url
- 1291
SOHR, Clashes in western Al-Suwaidaa lead to power outage in Shahbaa and Al-Suwaidaa city, 19 March 2026, url
- 1292
SANA, Sweida governor denies siege claims, confirms that supplies are entering normally, 22 February 2026, url
- 1293
Enab Baladi, Al-Hijri states his demands: What is happening in Suwayda is “genocide”, 11 October 2025, url; ISW and CTP, Iran Update, October 14, 2025, 14 October 2025, url
- 1294
SARD, UXO Challenge in Syria and Awareness Campaign, 5 March 2026, url
- 1295
SNHR, On the International Day for Mine Awareness: Documenting the deaths of at least 3,799 civilians from landmines and cluster munitions in Syria, March 2011 – April 2026, 4 April 2026, url, p. 8
- 1296
Data was collected between 1 January and 4 February 2026, including through a network 11 343 key informants in all 14 governorates. IOM, Syrian Arab Republic, Communities of Return Index, January 2026 – Round 4, 2 April 2026, url, p. 20
- 1297
IOM, Syrian Arab Republic, Communities of Return Index, January 2026 – Round 4, 2 April 2026, url, p. 7
- 1298
SOHR, Al-Suwaidaa | Accidental grenade explosion leaves civilian killed, 25 April 2026, url; SOHR, Playing with it | Young man dies in explosion of hand grenade in Al-Suwaidaa, 18 April 2026, url; SOHR, While working on tractor | Explosion of old landmine leaves two young men dead in Al-Suwaidaa countryside, 19 March 2026, url; Lister, C., Syria Weekly Conflict & Security: December 9-30, 2025, Syria Weekly, 30 December 2025, url
- 1299
SOHR, Mostly children | Explosion of grenade leaves eight people dead and injured in Al-Suwaidaa, 25 January 2026, url