The United Nations has warned that efforts to repair divisions and stabilize southern Syria have stalled nearly a year after deadly sectarian violence in the Druze-majority province of Sweida.

Background

A UN investigation in March found that more than 1,700 people, most of whom were civilian members of the Druze religious sect and some members of the Bedouin community, were killed in southern Sweida province in July 2025. The investigation also found that Syrian government forces, tribal fighters, and Druze armed groups may have committed war crimes.

A government-led, internationally backed roadmap launched in September 2025 was intended to restore order and repair relations among Druze factions, Bedouins, and the government. However, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone told the Security Council that there has been no progress on the implementation of the roadmap.

Cordone cited underlying issues that remained unresolved, including calls from some Druze for the province to secede, which have threatened Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. Kidnappings, counter-kidnappings, and rivalries among Druze factions have continued to undermine security in the province.

Impact on Education

The lack of progress has also affected education in the province. According to the UN, 13,500 students in Sweida were unable to sit national examinations this month after UN-supported mediation failed to resolve disagreements over location and security. Most students in the province have now missed exams for two consecutive years.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.