Syria’s Sweida province has witnessed deadly clashes, resulting in the deaths of more than 30 individuals and nearly 100 injuries, according to the country’s interior ministry. Violent unrest by local Druze and Sunni Bedouin armed groups broke out. This rapidly intensifying clash ignited a response from the Israeli occupation military.
The clashes started earlier this week after men from the dominant al-Hozail Bedouin tribe kidnapped and robbed a Druze vegetable vendor. This incident has exacerbated an already fraught relationship between the two communities. Syrian government security forces violently intervened, escalating confrontations where armed opposition groups eventually engaged with police in armed conflict.
Fearing a spillover of the violence in southern Syria toward Israel’s border, Israel’s army recently attacked Syrian government branded military tanks. This past Monday, Israel announced it had just carried out an unprecedented military strike. They were able to hit a number of tanks that were rolling into Sweida during the emerging civil conflict. Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, characterized these strikes as a “clear warning to the Syrian regime” to avoid harming the Druze community in Syria.
“We will not allow harm to be done to the Druze in Syria.” – Israel Katz
The government of Syria has repeatedly stressed that the fighting is not sectarian in nature. Noureddine al-Baba, a spokesperson for the Syrian interior ministry, stated that “the real conflict is between the state and bandits and criminals, not between the state and any Syrian community.” He further reaffirmed that the government sees the Druze as partners with them in reinforcing national unity.
On Monday, Syrian security forces had moved into Sweida to impose order after the eruption of violence. At the same time, Druze religious leaders began pressing for a ceasefire, calling on both sides to stop fighting. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the three Druze spiritual leaders in Sweida, expressed his vehement opposition. For one, he is staunchly against the use of federal security forces across the province.
“Under way between the notables of the city of Sweida and representatives of the general security [forces] and the defense ministry to reach a solution.” – Bassem Fakhr
The situation has drawn international concern. Najat Rochdi, the UN deputy special envoy for Syria, expressed her growing alarm over increased violence. She calls on the government and armed opposition groups to do more right now to protect civilians and restore order. Her proclamation was a call for dialogue and reconciliation at a time of increasing racial discord.
“There is an urgent need for genuine inclusion, trust-building, and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria.” – Najat Rochdi
The Syrian foreign ministry has called on all countries and organizations to stop violating Syria’s sovereignty. It harshly criticizes any international support for separatist movements and fiercely resists any external interference in its domestic affairs.
Protests and clashes still rage in Sweida. On the ground, local leaders are working to find solutions to de-escalate tensions between armed groups and government forces. Syrian security forces and factions allied with them have a history of violent clashes with certain Druze-majority groups. This new wave of violence exposes many layers of societal decay, overshadowed by the effects of outside agitators.
And make no mistake, the Israeli military is currently doing much more than hitting logistical targets in Syria. Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, it has led and/or directed hundreds of foreign airstrikes against Syrian military sites. In December, Israeli forces captured a UN-patrolled buffer zone along the border with the Golan Heights. The consequences of this action have been to further destabilize a tinderbox region and are raising alarm bells.