In spite of a brief ceasefire, deadly violence has raged for a third consecutive day in southern Syria, leaving at least 260 people dead.

It triggers a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in Sweida and the surrounding area.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the death toll has surged to 260, including at least 22 civilians executed by elements affiliated with the Defence and Interior Ministries.

Out of the dead, 82 are local residents, including four women and four children.

The majority of the dead, 156, are from the Syrian Ministry of Defence and Public Security, including 18 Bedouin fighters, according to the observatory.

Clashes erupted on Sunday between Sunni Bedouin tribesmen and members of the Druze minority, prompting the Damascus government to deploy troops to Sweida in a bid to restore control.

Violence intensified on Tuesday night with heavy artillery and mortar fire targeting Sweida city and nearby villages.

The National Hospital in Sweida has been working under difficult conditions for over 72 hours, operating without electricity, water or medical supplies.

The local officials and the observatory said on Wednesday.

Medical teams continued to work without rest, facing critical shortages and warning of a looming disaster, the British-based war monitor said.

The facility is nearly out of food and water, and sniper fire has made access to the area nearly impossible, it added.

Local residents said electricity and internet services were cut off across the region, halting water pumping stations and leaving civilians without basic necessities.

The main shops were closed, and displacement surging from front-line towns such as al-Mazraa, Kanaker and al-Thaala.