Clashes in south Syria kill 37 in Druze-Bedouin fighting

Clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes in Syria's southern Suwayda Governorate have killed 37 people and wounded dozens, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported Sunday.

The London-based monitor tallied 37 fatalities from armed clashes and mutual shelling in the Al-Maqous district east of Suwayda city and other areas in the province.

Among the dead were 27 Druze, including two children, and 10 Bedouin, with approximately 50 wounded.

The Syrian Interior Ministry expressed "deep concern" following "armed clashes that erupted between local military groups and tribes in the Al-Maqous district" in eastern Suwayda city.

An initial count indicated "more than 30 dead and around 100 wounded," according to a ministry statement.

The ministry stated that "units of its forces, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, will begin direct intervention in the area to resolve the conflict, stop the clashes, enforce security, and pursue those responsible for the events to transfer them to the competent judiciary."

A government source confirmed that Interior Ministry forces had deployed to the area to break up the fighting.

The ministry's statement indicated that these clashes occurred "against a backdrop of accumulated tensions during previous periods."

These are the first major disturbances in the area since violence between Druze and security forces in April and May resulted in dozens of deaths.

Previously, the local platform "Suwayda 24" reported, citing medical sources, armed confrontations and shelling, noting the closure of the Damascus-Suwayda international road.

Suwayda Governor Mustafa Bakour called for "restraint and responding to reason and dialogue," adding, "We appreciate the efforts made by local and tribal authorities to contain the tension, and we affirm that the state will not tolerate anything that undermines the protection of citizens."

Druze spiritual leaders also called for calm and urged Damascus authorities to intervene. Suwayda Governorate is the largest Druze community in Syria, estimated to number around 700,000 people.

Recurring Tensions and Regional Implications

Deadly clashes erupted in two areas near Damascus in April, with repercussions extending to Suwayda, resulting in at least 119 deaths, including Druze fighters and security forces.

Following these clashes, representatives of the Syrian government and Druze notables concluded truce agreements to contain the escalation. This highlighted the challenges facing the transitional authority led by President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in its efforts to stabilize its rule and define relations with various components after the overthrow of the previous regime in December.

This bloody confrontation prompted “Israel”, which has occupied part of the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967 and annexed it in 1981, to launch airstrikes and warn Damascus against harming members of the Druze community.

The Druze, followers of a sect branched from the Ismaili branch of Shiite Islam (the second largest after the Twelvers), are primarily located in Syria, Lebanon, and “Israel”.

In “Israel”, they form an Arabic-speaking minority numbering over 150,000. Druze are spread across more than 20 villages in the Galilee, Mount Carmel, and the occupied Golan Heights.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 153,000 hold “Israeli” citizenship, in addition to approximately 23,000 in the Golan, the vast majority of whom hold permanent “Israeli” residency.