Recent violent clashes in southern Syria between Druze and Sunni Bedouin fighters have resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, with security forces struggling to restore calm. The unrest follows the abduction of a Druze merchant, underscoring the ongoing sectarian discord in the region.
Sectarian Violence Erupts in Southern Syria: Druze and Bedouin Clashes Leave Dozens Dead
Sectarian Violence Erupts in Southern Syria: Druze and Bedouin Clashes Leave Dozens Dead
Armed confrontations between Druze militants and Bedouin tribes have led to significant casualties and escalating tensions in Suweida province, sparking international concern and local calls for restraint.
Dozens have died in violent clashes between Sunni Bedouin fighters and Druze militias in southern Syria's Suweida province, according to local media reports. The fighting erupted on Sunday, shortly after a Druze merchant was reportedly abducted on the highway to Damascus. The Syrian interior ministry confirmed that security personnel had been dispatched to restore order, although hostilities continued into Monday.
This latest outbreak of violence is part of a disturbing trend of sectarian clashes that have been prevalent since Islamist-led rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December. The Druze community, a religious minority that practices a unique form of Shia Islam, is increasingly concerned about their safety under the current administration amid promises of protection that seem unfulfilled.
The precise number of casualties remains unclear, with local activist outlets such as Suwayda 24 reporting "dozens" dead and over 200 wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group, corroborated reports of multiple casualties, including children and members of Syria's defense forces. The interior ministry has stated that at least 30 lives were lost, but independent verification of these statistics has not been achieved.
Moreover, the situation has attracted the Israeli military's attention, which announced it conducted strikes on tanks believed to be headed toward Druze-populated areas in response to perceived threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel's commitment to protecting the Druze community during such violence.
The initial clashes began in Suweida city’s al-Maqwas neighborhood, where armed Druze fighters encircled and later seized a Bedouin area. Fighting subsequently spread to various towns and villages within the province, resulting in attacks and shelling that forced residents to flee from their homes. Reports from Suwayda 24 highlighted renewed hostilities in western Suweida following drone attacks that coincided with government troop deployments.
This unrest marks a departure from a short-lived calm that followed negotiations between Druze and Bedouin leaders, aimed at addressing the escalating violence. The Syrian interior ministry acknowledged the dire security situation, blaming a lack of institutional authority for the continued chaos, while local leadership, including Suweida's governor, urged citizens to exercise restraint and respond to calls for national reform.
In a similar escalation of violence earlier this year, over 130 deaths were reported during clashes in the suburbs of Damascus and Suweida. Following that incident, local authorities reached agreements to bolster local security forces from within the Druze community to better manage the ongoing tensions.
