The ongoing conflict in Syria has led to the displacement of approximately 280,000 people within the past week, according to the United Nations. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reported that the number of displaced individuals could rise to 1.5 million in the coming months if the violence continues at its current pace. Samer Abdel Jaber, the WFP’s head of emergency coordination, highlighted that the figures reflect the displacement since November 27, excluding those who fled to Syria from Lebanon due to recent escalations there.
The mass displacement began after Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) launched a swift offensive in northern Syria, coinciding with a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, which followed two months of intense fighting. This new wave of displacement adds to the already dire humanitarian situation in Syria, which has been in a state of civil war for over 13 years.
The WFP, along with other humanitarian organizations, is actively working to provide aid and establish safe routes for assistance, though Abdel Jaber emphasized the urgent need for additional funding to support these efforts. He warned that without sufficient resources, humanitarian agencies may not be able to meet the growing needs of displaced populations.
In the east, Kurdish-led forces have taken control of areas previously held by the Syrian army after a series of setbacks for the government. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that government forces, along with Iran-backed militias, withdrew from Deir Ezzor province in the face of a major offensive by HTS. This shift marks a significant change in control in the region.
Meanwhile, in southern Syria, unrest continues as armed factions in Daraa province seized control of the Nassib-Jaber border crossing with Jordan, further destabilizing the region. This move follows increased clashes and attacks, many attributed to former anti-government fighters who retained their arms following a 2018 ceasefire agreement.
