31/07/2025 (Agence Europe) – Following the escalation of violence in mid-July between Druze militias, Bedouin tribes and government forces in Sweida, southern Syria (see EUROPE 13686/28), European Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib has called on those involved to guarantee safe and sustainable access to humanitarian aid. “Access remains difficult in areas affected by violence in Sweida. EU humanitarian partners, including the WFP (UN World Food Programme, editor’s note), are scaling up their response to meet the needs of the population”, declared Ms Lahbib on X on Wednesday 30 July. (BD)