Gunfire Hits Red Crescent Aid Convoy in Southern Syria

(MENAFN) A convoy operated by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) came under direct gunfire in southern Syria on Friday, the organization confirmed Saturday, yet pledged to continue its vital humanitarian efforts amid escalating security threats.

Omar Al-Malki, SARC’s media chief, told a local news agency that the convoy was engaged in routine aid deliveries to communities affected by conflict in the region. Fortunately, the convoy sustained no damage and no personnel were injured during the attack.

Al-Malki emphasized the organization’s commitment to safety, stating they will “review and tighten safety procedures ‘to ensure teams can reach targeted sites safely,’” while underscoring that “the priority remains the safety of staff and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need.”

Daily relief convoys access Suwayda province through the Busra al-Sham crossing, amid ongoing temporary evacuations to shelters in neighboring Daraa. Syrian authorities accuse armed factions in Suwayda of pillaging aid shipments and exploiting ceasefire breaches to justify arbitrary detentions and other human rights abuses.

Since July 19, Suwayda has been under a ceasefire following intense clashes over a week between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes that resulted in 426 fatalities, according to the London-based Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Syria’s transitional government, established after Bashar al-Assad’s removal in late 2024, is actively pursuing nationwide stability after nearly 25 years of authoritarian rule.

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