The fragile ceasefire in Syria’s southern Sweida governorate continues to collapse, with new reports of a sniper attack breaching the truce, adding another link to an escalating chain of violations and violence in the region.
A New and Serious Breach on December 12
Local sources from Al-Majdal village in the western countryside of Sweida confirmed a new violation. On December 12, forces affiliated with the interim government breached the ceasefire. The sources reported that a sniper from these forces shot Basil Ismail Arej, a resident of the village who was at fortification points, resulting in the amputation of his right hand. This incident confirms the targeting of civilians and defensive positions even during periods of relative calm.
Context of Sustained Escalation: Early December Violations
This attack occurs within the context of a wave of repeated and escalating violations witnessed in the region during the first days of December:
· December 1, 2025: Civilian sites on the Transport Road were targeted with mortar shells at 22:15, followed at 22:33 by targeting with 23mm heavy weapon fire and other shells, leading to the martyrdom of citizen Wissam Sakhr Sammour.
· December 3, 2025: At 16:15, civilians at the Transport Road checkpoint were targeted using heavy weapons and a drone.
· December 4, 2025: Civilian sites in Al-Majdal village were shelled with heavy weapons at 00:30, causing material damage.
· December 5, 2025: At 00:05, civilian homes in Al-Majdal were intensively shelled with heavy weapons.
· December 6, 2025: The day witnessed a multi-axis escalation:
· 14:45: A water well at the western entrance to Sweida and Al-Haji Road were targeted with mortar shells, injuring citizen Ahmad Abu Salah in the chest.
· 16:40: Civilians in Al-Majdal were targeted by sniper fire originating from the direction of Al-Mazra’a village.
· 17:03: Civilian areas in Al-Majdal were shelled with mortar shells from Al-Mazra’a village, causing material damage.
· December 8, 2025: The day witnessed a series of intense attacks:
· 13:20: Al-Majdal village was shelled with heavy weapons.
· 21:10: The Factories Road was targeted with a drone launched from Tal Hadid.
· 21:38: Two mortar shells targeted the axis of Sweida city.
· 21:57: The Mountain Juice Factory was targeted with a mortar shell.
· 22:18: The plastic factory was targeted with heavy weapons.
· 22:43: Civilians in Sweida were targeted with heavy weapons from Tal Hadid.
Official Response and Deteriorating Conditions
In response to the December 8 attacks, the National Guard forces in Sweida issued a statement confirming that their forces dealt with the “hostile movements” on the western axis and suppressed the sources of fire, asserting that all fronts are under control and their forces are on high alert. However, the humanitarian and security situation continues to deteriorate.
The nature of the attacks – which have evolved from sporadic shelling to the systematic use of drones, precise sniper fire, and sustained heavy bombardment – indicates a serious military escalation. The repeated targeting of roads, vital facilities, and residential areas confirms the expansion of danger to the heart of the region’s living stability. The sniper incident on December 12 is merely the latest evidence that the cycle of violence, rather than stopping, continues to worsen, threatening to drag Sweida into a new spiral of violence.