EU says it’s ‘alarmed’ over violence in Sweida, calls for truce

By AFP 16 July 2025, 3:46 pm

Edit

A man stands at a window as smoke billows during Israeli strikes in the vicinity of Syria's southern city of Sweida on July 16, 2025. (Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Union says it is “alarmed” by the continuing clashes in Syria’s Druze-majority Sweida, calling on all sides to implement a ceasefire and protect civilians.

A statement by the EU’s diplomatic arm also urges “all external actors” to “fully respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” after Israel carried out strikes in support of the Druze.

Syrian government forces stand accused of summary executions of Druze and other abuses in Sweida, where sectarian violence between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes has left scores dead.