Foreign affairs chief of Syrian authorities Assad Hassan al-Shibani (C), Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (L) and U.S. special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack (R) attend a joint press conference in Damascus, Syria, Sept. 16, 2025. Syrian authorities on Tuesday unveiled a seven-point roadmap to address the months-long crisis in the southern province of Sweida. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Syrian authorities on Tuesday unveiled a seven-point roadmap to address the months-long crisis in the southern province of Sweida.
Foreign affairs chief Assad Hassan al-Shibani announced the plan during a joint press conference in Damascus with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and U.S. special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack.
He said the first step would be holding accountable those responsible for attacks on civilians and their property, in coordination with UN investigative mechanisms.
Other steps include securing uninterrupted humanitarian and medical aid flows into Sweida, restoring essential services, deploying local interior security units to protect roads and trade, and clarifying the fate of missing persons and detainees.
It also envisions launching an internal reconciliation process with the participation of Sweida's communities.
Safadi said Syria's security was integral to regional security. He also condemned Israeli strikes on Syria and called for their cessation.
Barrack, the U.S. envoy, described the agreement as "a collective vision," saying the roadmap ensures the displaced can return to Sweida.
Sweida, a predominantly Druze province, has been gripped by a severe humanitarian crisis since mid-July, following deadly sectarian clashes and Israeli strikes that have shaken the area and stalled essential supplies.
On July 19, Syrian presidential authorities declared a ceasefire and began deploying interior security forces in Sweida to restore order. ■
Foreign affairs chief of Syrian authorities Assad Hassan al-Shibani (C), Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (L) and U.S. special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack (R) sign a document in Damascus, Syria, Sept. 16, 2025. Syrian authorities on Tuesday unveiled a seven-point roadmap to address the months-long crisis in the southern province of Sweida. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
Foreign affairs chief of Syrian authorities Assad Hassan al-Shibani address a joint press conference held with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and U.S. special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack after their meeting in Damascus, Syria, on Sept. 16, 2025. Syrian authorities on Tuesday unveiled a seven-point roadmap to address the months-long crisis in the southern province of Sweida. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
Foreign affairs chief of Syrian authorities Assad Hassan al-Shibani (C), Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (L) and U.S. special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack (R) attend a joint press conference in Damascus, Syria, Sept. 16, 2025. Syrian authorities on Tuesday unveiled a seven-point roadmap to address the months-long crisis in the southern province of Sweida. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
