Government forces say it is too dangerous for journalists and aid trucks to enter Suweida city.
Suweida, Syria –
Tensions are high at the final military checkpoint on the road to Suweida city, where fear, uncertainty, and resilience meet. Once a relatively peaceful region, the road leading into Suweida — a Druze-majority province in southern Syria — has become a dangerous passage, marked by increasing instability, armed group activity, and social unrest.
Travelers must pass through this heavily guarded checkpoint, often facing intense scrutiny. Security forces conduct vehicle searches, check identifications, and monitor movement — a response to growing threats in the region, including kidnappings, smuggling, and intermittent clashes between local militias and government forces.
“The checkpoint is the last sense of order we have,” said a local driver, who travels the route frequently. “Beyond it, you’re on your own. No one knows what could happen on that road.”
Suweida has largely stayed out of Syria’s civil war in earlier years, but in recent times, it has witnessed a surge in violence. Widespread poverty, lack of central governance, and the rise of local armed factions have turned the city and its surrounding roads into a hotspot of insecurity.
Residents report the presence of unidentified armed groups, checkpoints run by non-state actors, and increasing instances of extortion. The Syrian government, while maintaining a limited presence, is often accused of turning a blind eye to local lawlessness.
In recent months, peaceful protests have erupted within the city, demanding reforms, better services, and a crackdown on corruption. However, with rising tensions and deteriorating conditions, the checkpoint has become both a gate of entry and a symbol of what lies ahead — a city on edge, and a population demanding change.
