SWEIDA — Efforts to repair divisions and stabilize southern Syria have stalled nearly a year after deadly sectarian violence in Sweida province. UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone told the Security Council on Monday, "There has been no progress on the implementation of the September 2025 roadmap of confidence-building and reintegration in Sweida."

A government-led, internationally backed roadmap was launched in September 2025 to restore order and repair relations among Druze factions, Bedouins, and the government. A UN investigation in March found that more than 1,700 people were killed in southern Sweida province in July 2025. The investigation stated that Syrian government forces, tribal fighters, and Druze armed groups may have committed war crimes.

Cordone noted that Syria's transitional parliament has not been constituted more than eight months after elections. President Ahmed al-Sharaa must still appoint a third of the transitional parliament's members. "The delay is generating anxiety," Cordone told the Security Council.

Sweida Governor Mustafa al-Bakour stated in April that Druze armed factions obstructed efforts to restore state institutions, improve services, and rebuild trust. Al-Bakour said Damascus remained committed to dialog and rejected Druze factions' accusations that the central government has restricted food and other supplies to the province. He added that the government continued to fund public salaries, support healthcare and education, and restore infrastructure in Sweida despite security challenges.

Cordone stated that calls from some Druze for the province to secede have threatened Syria's unity and territorial integrity. Kidnappings, counter-kidnappings, and rivalries among Druze factions continued to undermine security in Sweida province. Druze leaders stated they are safeguarding their community after last year's violence and accused Damascus of eroding trust through its conduct during the clashes.

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 Sweida province have missed exams for two consecutive years, according to the UN. Sweida has been a political and security flashpoint since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.