Syria: Druze Community

Lord Hunt of Wirral Excerpts

Thursday 17th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

That is a very good question, and it is very important. We are deeply concerned at the attempts of external actors to exploit instability, spread misinformation and destabilise the situation in Syria. It is something that we need to be mindful of. We need to take steps as and when we can, and we do. We are working with the Government of Syria to ensure that those sorts of issues are not able to have the impact that those who do not wish to see a strong Syria would wish.

[Lord Hunt of Wirral (Con)]

Many of us were seriously concerned yesterday to hear about the military attack on the national hospital in Suwayda. As we all know, the Druze minority is to be found in the Suwayda province. Is the Minister persuaded that this ceasefire is holding? Is it now possible to restore electricity and water to that hospital and open humanitarian corridors to allow safe and secure passage for civilians?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

In order to achieve the last two things that the noble Lord advocated, we need that ceasefire to hold. It is very early in the ceasefire; it is only a matter of hours. We will do whatever we need to do to encourage that to happen, but it is vital that that ceasefire continues. As many noble Lords have said, there are several international actors involved in brokering this; we commend them, we will support them and we will do whatever we can to play our part to ensure that peace can continue.