UN says nearly 80,000 displaced by south Syria violence

Nearly 80,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Syria’s southern Sweida province due to violence that erupted earlier this week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Thursday.

In a statement, the IOM reported that 79,339 individuals had fled their homes since July 13, including 20,019 people displaced on July 17 alone.

The organization warned of a collapse in essential services in Sweida, noting that electricity and water supplies have been disrupted.

A severe fuel shortage has also paralyzed transportation and hindered emergency evacuation efforts.