First Syrian Red Cross aid convoy enters Druze-majority Suweida

The first humanitarian aid convoy entered the southern Syrian city of Suweida on Sunday, a Red Crescent official said, a week after deadly sectarian violence erupted in the Druze heartland.

A fragile ceasefire appeared to be holding after Druze fighters retook control of Suweida city and government security forces deployed to the province, following violence since last Sunday that has killed more than 1,000 people, according to a monitor.

An AFP correspondent near Suweida city saw a convoy including trucks and ambulances bearing the Red Crescent symbol heading towards the city.

"It's the first convoy to enter after the recent events, and it has arrived and is now inside Suweida," said Syrian Red Crescent media and communications official Omar al-Malki.

He told AFP the convoy would be followed by others and said it came "in coordination with the government bodies and the local authorities in Suweida", which are controlled by the Druze.

The convoy of 32 vehicles was carrying basics including food, medical and fuel supplies as well as body bags, Malki said.

Residents of Suweida have been holed up in their homes without electricity and water, and food supplies have been scarce.

An AFP photographer said the morgue at Suweida's main hospital was full and bodies were lying on the ground outside the building.

The government instead said its own convoy of more than 40 aid trucks, accompanied by three ministers, was unable to enter Suweida.

A foreign ministry statement said that "outlawed armed militias loyal to Hikmat al-Hijri denied the entry of the convoy", referring to one of Suweida's most influential Druze religious leaders.

The authorities have strongly criticised Hijri after he called for international protection for the Druze and launched an appeal for assistance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a statement on Sunday, Hijri welcomed "all humanitarian aid coming to the stricken province of Suweida through international organisations and bodies".

He called for "an immediate end to the brutal attack on Suweida province and a halt to disinformation campaigns... that aim to stoke violence and hatred".

Neighbouring Israel, which is also home to a Druze community, has presented itself as a defender of the minority in Syria, though this has been largely interpreted as a means to sow sectarianism in Syria, amid Israel's ambitions to attack parts of the country.