Enab Baladi– Jana al-Issa
The departure of families residing in Suwayda, southern Syria, continues since the first evacuation began three days ago, involving thousands of people mostly from Bedouin tribes, without any confirmation of the families’ future, despite Syrian government statements labeling the exit as “temporary.”
If these families do not return, which is what field sources expect, this would constitute the first instance of forced displacement following the fall of the Assad regime—a regime that displaced millions of Syrians from their homes and cities, most of whom could not return until its fall.
Syrian legal experts and human rights advocates have denounced the evacuation of Bedouin families, labeling it as forced displacement unless the Syrian government clearly outlines their actual fate.
More Than 2,000 People
Late on Wednesday, 23 July, around 550 individuals—mostly women and children from Bedouin tribes in Suwayda—were evacuated toward Daraa Governorate in the third convoy as part of the ceasefire agreement in Suwayda, following bloody clashes between local factions, tribal fighters, and forces from the Ministries of Defense and Interior.
The “Syrian Civil Defense” team stated that those transferred out of the city were previously detained in their homes in the village of al- Kafr in Suwayda’s countryside and were relocated to temporary shelter centers in rural Daraa.
A day earlier, several individuals and families were evacuated from Suwayda’s countryside after about 1,500 civilians—mostly women, children, and the elderly—were transported from the village of Walgha in western Suwayda countryside. Over ten injured individuals, including children, were taken to hospitals.
“Temporary” Evacuation
With the first convoy’s departure, the Syrian government framed the issue as a “temporary” evacuation until the situation in Suwayda stabilizes—though there have been no clear indications of this happening thus far.
The Internal Security Forces commander in Suwayda, Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dallati, stated that the government is committed to ensuring the evacuation of detained families and those wishing to leave Suwayda from all groups, with the possibility for reentry for those desiring it.
Syrian Ministry of Interior spokesperson, Nour Al-Din Al-Baba, also confirmed that the emergency departure of families from the governorate is “temporary” due to humanitarian and security conditions and that their return to the city will be soon once the governorate is secured.
Groups waiting at the Bosra Al-Harir crossing adjacent to Suwayda during the evacuation of civilians – 23 July 2025 (Enab Baladi/Mahjoub al-Hashish)
Forced Displacement Unless Plans Are Clarified
The director of the “Syrian Network for Human Rights,” Fadel Abdul Ghany, told Enab Baladi that, legally, the ongoing transfer of Bedouin families from Suwayda constitutes forced displacement, as it is one-way and without return—unless the government proves otherwise through action.
He added that these individuals left against their will, in one direction, and they are residents who have lived in the area for hundreds of years with homes, possessions, livelihoods, and daily and commercial relationships. This necessitates the Syrian government to clarify the terms of the agreement under which these families are being evacuated.
If their departure is indeed temporary and until the area is secured, then this is permitted under international law, Abdul Ghany explained.
He noted that even if the agreement is temporary, not permanent, the warring parties are responsible for these displaced individuals and their future well-being. This responsibility primarily falls on the Syrian government, given its central role in the recent developments.
It is also crucial, according to Abdul Ghany, to know what was offered in exchange and the exact terms of the agreement under which thousands of people were displaced so that proper legal analysis can be conducted rather than speculation based on limited information.
The officially published ceasefire terms in Suwayda, dated 19 July, did not reference the fate of these families. The Ministry of Interior’s statement made no mention of temporary evacuations or the displacement of Bedouin families.
However, one clause in the agreement, published by the Spiritual Leadership of the Druze Unitarian Muslims in Syria, stated that those remaining from the tribes within the governorate would be allowed safe and guaranteed exit with armed escort from active factions on the ground, without obstruction or harm from any party. The clause also designated safe crossings for urgent and humanitarian cases via Bosra Al-Harir and Bosra.
Displaced Bedouin tribe members from Suwayda in a temporary shelter center in rural Daraa – 23 July 2025 (Enab Baladi/Mahjoub al-Hashish)
A Crime Against Humanity
The director of the “Syrian Center for Justice and Accountability,” legal expert Mohammad al-Abdallah, clarified that forced displacement is defined as a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute (the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court) as expulsion or forced transfer—i.e., the displacement of individuals through expulsion or any other coercive act from areas where they lawfully reside, without legal justification under international law.
Forced displacement occurs when individuals are compelled to move without their genuine consent through force or coercion from areas where they reside legally.
Coerced transfers within a national territory do not necessarily require physical force—they can involve threats, intimidation, or other forms of coercion that leave the victims no choice but to flee.
Forced displacement may constitute a crime against humanity when it occurs as part of a widespread or systematic attack “against any civilian population,” meaning such acts are committed repeatedly under a state policy.
Under international humanitarian law, in circumstances where Syrian authorities intend to transfer Bedouin communities, they are only allowed to do so if it is proven necessary for the civilians’ security or due to a “military necessity,” according to Mohammad al-Abdallah.
He emphasized that the concept of necessity is narrowly defined to prevent abuse and to ensure that such measures are justified only by urgent military needs and do not violate other principles of international humanitarian law designed to protect civilians.
For civilian evacuations to be considered legal, they must meet the following conditions, as al-Abdallah explained:
- Ensure safe transfer of displaced civilians without family separation, and provide food, water, healthcare, sanitation, and shelter or reception centers.
- Guarantee that the evacuation is temporary.
- Facilitate the swift return of displaced persons to their homes once hostilities cease in the area where they were displaced.
According to the latest statistics from the “Syrian Network for Human Rights,” at least 814 Syrians have been killed—including 34 women, 20 children, six medical personnel, and two media workers—in Suwayda since the tensions began on 13 July.
More than 903 others have been injured with varying degrees of severity. This toll is preliminary and subject to ongoing updates. Efforts are still underway to classify the victims by responsible party and distinguish between civilians and combatants, as noted in the Network’s report published today, 24 July.
Tribal forces standing at the Bosra Al-Harir crossing adjacent to Suwayda Governorate – 20 July 2025 (Enab Baladi/Mahjoub al-Hashish)
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