Escalating Violence in Southern Syria: Clashes Between Militias and Government Forces

Intensifying Conflict in Sweida Province

The Israeli military announced on Monday that it targeted military tanks in southern Syria amid ongoing clashes between government forces and Bedouin tribes against Druze militias.

Recent fighting in Syria's Sweida province has resulted in numerous casualties, with local militias and clans engaged in violent confrontations. Government security forces dispatched to restore order also found themselves in conflict with armed groups.

According to Syria's Interior Ministry, over 30 individuals have lost their lives, and nearly 100 have sustained injuries. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported at least 89 fatalities, including two children, two women, and 14 security personnel.

The clashes reportedly began between armed factions from the Druze and Sunni Bedouin clans, with some government security forces allegedly supporting the Bedouins.

Noureddine al-Baba, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, stated that government forces entered Sweida early in the morning to restore order.

He mentioned that while some confrontations occurred with outlawed armed groups, efforts were being made to minimize civilian casualties, as reported on state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV.

The violence erupted following a series of kidnappings between the two groups, initiated when members of a Bedouin tribe set up a checkpoint and attacked a young Druze man.

Rami Abdurrahman, head of the observatory, noted that the conflict was sparked by the kidnapping and robbery of a Druze vegetable vendor, leading to retaliatory attacks and further kidnappings.

In response to the escalating situation, Syria's defense and interior ministries are deploying personnel to the area.

The Interior Ministry characterized the situation as a dangerous escalation, attributing it to the absence of effective official institutions, which has exacerbated chaos and deteriorated security, leaving the local community unable to manage the crisis despite repeated calls for calm.

Najat Rochdi, the UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, expressed grave concern over the violence and urged both the government and local factions to take immediate measures to protect civilians, restore peace, and prevent further incitement.

She emphasized the urgent need for genuine inclusion, trust-building, and meaningful dialogue to facilitate a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria.

In Israel, the Druze community is regarded as a loyal minority, with many serving in the armed forces.

Syria's Foreign Ministry has called on all nations and organizations to respect the authority of the Syrian Arab Republic and refrain from supporting any separatist movements. It urged Syrians to halt violence, surrender illegal weapons, and thwart efforts to disrupt the social fabric of the nation.

Israel has previously intervened in Syria to protect the Druze minority. In May, Israeli forces targeted a site near the presidential palace in Damascus, seen as a warning to Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, following deadly clashes between pro-government forces and Druze fighters earlier in the year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would not permit the deployment of Syrian government forces south of Damascus or any threats to the Druze community.

More than half of the approximately one million Druze worldwide reside in Syria, with significant populations also in Lebanon and Israel, including the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 war and annexed in 1981.

While many Druze in Syria have expressed a desire for no Israeli intervention, some factions within the community are wary of the new authorities in Damascus following the flight of former President Bashar Assad during a rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist groups. There have been instances of clashes between Druze groups and security forces from the new government or allied factions.

A statement from a group led by Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader opposed to the new Damascus government, called for international protection and accused government forces of supporting extremist groups.

The Druze sect, a minority group that originated as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, primarily resides in southern Sweida province and certain suburbs of Damascus, including Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya.

During Syria's nearly 14-year civil war, the Druze formed their own militias to defend against attacks from the Islamic State and other militant groups.

Israel has adopted a tough stance towards Syria's new leadership since Assad's departure, aiming to prevent Islamist militants from approaching its borders. Israeli forces have seized a UN-patrolled buffer zone in Syrian territory along the Golan Heights border and conducted numerous airstrikes on military sites in Syria.

The Trump administration has been advocating for the new Syrian government to normalize relations with Israel. Syrian officials have acknowledged engaging in indirect talks with Israel to ease tensions, although they have not confirmed reports of direct discussions.

US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack remarked last week that he believes the normalization process will unfold gradually, akin to 'unwrapping an onion.'