A previously unseen magnitude of sectarian violence has suddenly exploded in southern Syria. In the past four days, at least 516 civilians and fighters have been killed. Protests turned to clashes in Syria’s Druze-majority province of Sweida. These battles were the direct result of a local battle between Bedouin tribesmen and Druze militia. Syrian government forces almost immediately intervened, escalating the situation dramatically. This ignited a chain reaction of retaliatory violence and sent international observers reeling at the region’s instability.
Perhaps the most chilling of those incidents was the murder of 15 unarmed people. When the funeral for this enormous tragedy took place at the Daoud reception hall, owned by Sweida city’s leading Radwan family. In the latter case, local residents accuse government-affiliated forces of being behind the murders. This leads to alarming implications regarding the overlapping of state security apparatus with unofficial militias. Now, witnesses are having a hard time distinguishing one of these groups from the other. This framing confusion allows for greater obfuscation in determining who is culpable for the violence.
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported a devastating day. Government fighters and allied militias systematically executed 86 of the victims, intentionally targeting Druze civilians. Eyewitness testimonies suggest that most of the victims were shot in the head, resembling an execution-style slaying.
Maan Radwan, a member of the family that hosted the reception, recounted, “They were sitting there drinking coffee when gunmen came in and just started shooting. There are no weapons allowed in the hall; it’s not like it’s a military base.”
This escalating violence poses a dangerous threat to Syria’s already fragile stability. This country has suffered 14 years of brutal civil war during President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, resulting in a heavily traumatized population. In a speech responding to the recent crisis, al-Assad denounced the use of force against civilians and promised those responsible would be held accountable. He stated, “We are determined to hold accountable anyone who wronged or harmed our Druze brethren. They are under the protection and responsibility of the state, and the law and justice guarantee the rights of all without exception.”
As tensions escalated, three Bedouin civilians were even killed in violence perpetrated by Druze fighters. Studies have shown that this cycle of reciprocal violence puts people at risk of violence. It further undermines the cohesion of the fledgling Syrian state.
The recent surge in violence began with an ongoing local dispute. It quickly escalated to the point of government retaliation, which faced strong retaliation from Druze militants. They vigorously resisted the incursion of state troops into their land. A government forces member issued a dire warning: “If God grants you victory, none can defeat you … On behalf of the tribes, oh Druze and Alawites, we are coming for you with sectarianism.”
Healthcare professionals treating the wounded were taken aback by the sudden surge of traumatic casualties. One doctor from the intensive care unit lamented, “We were trying to limit each wounded person to 2 or 3CCs of Tramadol, and we would dilute it so it would last for everyone.” The medical community has been dealing with an overwhelming level of pressure to care for hundreds of injured people.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, local residents, including the artists, have reacted negatively to the increased violence. More war sensibility If anything, many are asking whether after years of fighting the bloodshed still makes any sense. Bahaa expressed frustration, stating, “So many of those killed were anti-Assad from the beginning. All of these killings after 14 years of war. What’s the point?”
As Sweida grapples with this latest wave of violence, local leaders and residents are left to ponder what lies ahead for their community amidst ongoing instability. The cycle of violence poses an immeasurable risk to civilian lives in Syria, further fracturing the social fabric. More recently, sectarian divisions have become increasingly exacerbated, worsening the crisis.
Yousef, another resident affected by the turmoil, shared his experience during this chaotic period: “They called me at 7 am that morning and most of the people had fled the village. They didn’t know what to do, and they didn’t have any guns at all.”
Yousef, another resident affected by the turmoil, shared his experience during this chaotic period: “They called me at 7 am that morning and most of the people had fled the village. They didn’t know what to do, and they didn’t have any guns at all.”