Rising Tensions Spark Fear Among Syrians After Deadly Sectarian Clashes

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Syrian government troops were moving toward the southern city of Sweida to suppress lethal conflicts between Druze combatants and Bedouin tribes. A Druze militant faction indicated that negotiations with officials for a ceasefire were ongoing.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that over 100 individuals had lost their lives since the violence began on Sunday. Among the deceased were 60 Druze, including four civilians, 18 Bedouin combatants, 14 security officers, and seven unidentified individuals in military attire.

As hostilities intensified, Israel, which had previously cautioned it might step in to shield the Druze in Syria, claimed to have targeted “several tanks” in the vicinity as a “warning”.

Syrian forces seized control of the Druze village of al-Mazraa, which was also a location for Bedouin fighters.

A leader, Ezzeddine al-Shamayer, informed Agence France-Presse that the forces “are advancing toward Sweida” city.

Security forces carrying weapons atop a ute are stationed in a residential area.

Syria’s defence ministry says “outlawed groups” have attacked government security forces. Source: AP / Ghaith Alsayed

In a statement, Syria’s interior ministry declared “army and internal security forces have moved closer to the centre” of Sweida province.

Bassem Fakhr, spokesperson for the Men of Dignity movement, one of the largest Druze factions in Sweida, said talks were “underway between the notables of the city of Sweida and representatives of the general security [forces] and the defence ministry to reach a solution”.

Druze religious authorities called for a ceasefire in the area, saying they were not opposed to the Syrian central government.

Nonetheless, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a prominent Druze spiritual figure in Sweida, voiced his “opposition to the deployment” of security forces into the region, demanding “international protection”.

Israel — which also has a Druze population and has previously attacked Syria in purported defence of the group — reported hitting several tanks heading towards Sweida.

The strikes served as “a clear warning to the Syrian regime — we will not tolerate harm to the Druze in Syria,” Israeli defense minister Israel Katz stated on X.

Fear of massacres

The fighting in the south underscores the challenges facing interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose Islamist forces removed then-president Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war.

Syria’s pre-war Druze population was estimated at around 700,000, many of them concentrated in Sweida province.

The Druze, followers of an esoteric religion that split from Shi’ite Islam, are mainly found in Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

Following deadly clashes with government forces in April and May, local and religious leaders reached an agreement with Syria under which Druze fighters have been providing security in the province.

The streets of Sweida were deserted on Monday, with an AFP photographer reporting distant gunfire during funerals.

“We lived in a state of extreme terror — the shells were falling randomly,” said Abu Taym, a 51-year-old father, adding, “most shops are closed”.

“We fear a repeat of the coastal scenario,” said Amal, 46, referring to killings of more than 1,700 — mostly Alawites — in north-west Syria, according to SOHR, where groups affiliated with the government were blamed for most of the killings.

“We are not against the state, but we are against surrendering our weapons without a state that treats everyone the same,” she said.

In a post on X, Syrian defence minister Murhaf Abu Qasra urged his troops to “protect your fellow citizens” from “outlaw gangs”, and to “restore stability to Sweida”.