Southern Syria is once again a powder keg, as deadly clashes between local Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin tribes have reignited, leaving hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced. Despite multiple attempts at brokering a ceasefire, the violence continues to rage, exposing the fragility of the new Syrian government’s control and drawing in regional actors, including Israel.
The latest wave of fighting, largely concentrated in the Druze-majority province of Suwayda, reportedly began on July 11, 2025, sparked by the robbery and assault of a Druze vegetable merchant by members of Bedouin tribes. This quickly escalated into a cycle of retaliatory kidnappings and armed confrontations. While the Syrian transitional government initially deployed forces to restore order, reports from the ground indicate these forces often sided with the Bedouins, leading to direct clashes with Druze factions and allegations of horrific abuses, including executions and looting of Druze homes.
“It’s a terrifying situation. People are running for their lives, leaving everything behind,” said a local resident who wished to remain anonymous, describing scenes of chaos, burning homes, and bodies strewn in the streets. The UN estimates more than 87,000 people have been displaced in Suwayda province since July 12, with many now crammed into overcrowded schools and public buildings under dire conditions.
The conflict has drawn the attention of international mediators. A ceasefire, reportedly brokered by the United States, Turkey, and Arab countries, was announced earlier this week. Under this accord, Druze factions and clerics were meant to maintain internal security as government forces pulled out. However, renewed fighting flared as Druze militias allegedly carried out revenge attacks against Bedouin communities, leading to further displacement.
Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, whose government came to power after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, has vowed to protect minorities and restore stability. However, the recent events in Suwayda pose a significant challenge to his authority and his efforts to consolidate control over a fractured nation. State media reported on Saturday that Syrian security forces have begun deploying in Suwayda province with the aim of protecting civilians and putting an end to the chaos, but it remains unclear if these forces have fully entered Suwayda city.
Adding another volatile dimension to the conflict, Israel has openly intervened, conducting multiple airstrikes on Syrian government forces and Bedouin fighters. Israel, which views the Druze community as a “brotherly alliance” (with many Israeli Druze serving in its military), stated its actions were aimed at protecting the Druze minority and enforcing a demilitarized zone near its border. These strikes have even reportedly hit the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters in central Damascus, prompting strong condemnation from Damascus, which labeled the Israeli actions a violation of sovereignty and an attempt to sow division.
The complex nature of the clashes, which some analysts describe as having underlying sectarian tensions, harks back to the dynamics of Syria’s prolonged civil war. While the immediate trigger was a robbery, deeper grievances exist between the communities and a pervasive distrust of the new, Islamist-led government among some minorities, including the Druze who largely remained neutral during the civil war.
As the violence continues and calls for calm from international bodies go unheeded, the fate of Suwayda and its embattled communities hangs precariously in the balance, a stark reminder of the enduring instability that plagues southern Syria.