GRAPHIC: Suwayda heats up, many dead and wounded in clashes between Syrian Regime Forces and Druze
Violence in As-Suwayda has sharply escalated following Druze-Bedouin clashes, regime military deployments, and Israeli airstrikes targeting Syrian forces. At least 37 are dead, hundreds have mobilized, and foreign powers, including Israel and Turkey, are now visibly involved.
The southern Syrian city of As-Suwayda, a predominantly Druze area, is facing intensifying conflict as of 12:53 PM IDT today. The unrest began on July 10 when Bedouin tribesmen at a roadblock robbed and assaulted a Druze merchant, triggering clashes between Druze and Bedouin communities. The violence, centered in the Al-Muqous neighborhood and spreading to nearby villages, has involved heavy gunfire, mortar attacks, and road blockages. Druze forces have taken control of Sunni neighborhoods, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syria’s Ministry of Interior reporting at least 37 deaths—27 Druze, including two children, and 10 Bedouins—and nearly 100 injuries.
Druze leaders have called for a general mobilization across all villages in the As-Suwayda governorate, with loudspeakers broadcasting urgent calls for residents to take up arms. The Syrian army has captured areas such as Al-Mazra’a and Al-Dour, seizing Druze faction weapons, including an ammunition depot, to disarm local militias. Negotiations for disarmament remain stalled, with the Syrian Ministry of Interior demanding unconditional surrender of weapons.
Forces loyal to Ahmad al-Sharaa of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have seized a police station in As-Suwayda, escalating tensions. The Syrian Ministry of Defense, through the commander of the Military Police, announced the deployment of military police and internal security forces to the city, imposing a strict ban on entry by any individuals or groups not affiliated with the Ministry of Defense or internal security forces, with violations subject to punishment.
Since yesterday evening, Syrian regime convoys, including tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs), and rocket launchers, were observed moving toward As-Suwayda. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), under the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, launched immediate airstrikes today targeting Syrian regime military assets in As-Suwayda. The IDF struck tanks, APCs, rocket launchers, and access routes to disrupt regime advances.
A joint statement from Netanyahu and Katz condemned the Syrian regime’s actions against the Druze as a violation of Israel’s policy of demilitarizing southern Syria, which prohibits regime forces and weapons in the region. The statement highlighted Israel’s commitment to preventing harm to the Druze, citing the deep familial and historical ties with Israel’s Druze community, and to ensuring the demilitarization of the area adjacent to Israel’s border with Syria.
Katz said, "
According to journalist Hallel Bitton Rosen, Netanyahu and Katz were absent from a government meeting to hold a two-hour situation assessment on Syria, reflecting the gravity of the situation. A senior political source told Channel 14 News that the strikes and Israel’s assertive policy in Syria are coordinated with the United States.
Turkish jets have been observed near the Syria-Turkey border, issuing warnings to Israeli aircraft, adding to regional complexities. The combination of sectarian clashes, Druze mobilization, HTS actions, Syrian military operations, and Israeli airstrikes has created a volatile situation in As-Suwayda
IDF Spokesperson:
Under guidance from the political echelon, the IDF has recently begun striking Syrian regime military assets in As-Suwayda, southern Syria.
Starting yesterday evening (Monday), convoys including armored personnel carriers and tanks belonging to the Syrian regime were detected moving toward As-Suwayda.
In response, the IDF targeted several armored vehicles, including tanks, APCs, and drones, as well as access routes, to disrupt their arrival in the area.
The IDF continues to monitor developments and remains prepared for defense and various scenarios.
Journalist Roi Kais provided this update:
Following the bloodbath in As-Suwayda (the Druze Mountain) a conversation took place last night between the spiritual leadership of the Druze in Syria and Sheikh Mufaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, to consult on how to prevent the massacre of the Druze.
Roy Kais also reported that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights states that 116 people have been killed in violent clashes in the Druze Mountain area in southern Syria over the past two days. Meanwhile, Syrian media report casualties and injuries within the Syrian Ministry of Defense following IDF strikes.
UPDATE: 13:06PM
Amid rising tensions on the Syrian front, the government has authorized Minister Avi Dichter to serve as Acting Defense Minister during Minister Katz’s stay in the United States.
Riots are occurring today in several Druze-majority areas of Northern Israel, as they block roads and set trash/tires on fire in protest of the ongoing clashes in the Suwayda Governorate of Southwestern Syria, between the Bedouin, the Druze, and the Syrian Government.
This is the immediate aftermath of Israeli airstrikes:
Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra has just announced a “complete ceasefire” in the Druze-majority city of Suwayda in Southwestern Syria, following negotiations and an agreement with local leaders, adding that Syrian Forces will only respond to gunfire directed at them by “lawbreakers.”
UPDATE: 13:28PM
Open Source Intel reports: Despite the ceasefire announcement, the Syrian Defense Ministry and Internal Security Forces continue operations in As-Suwayda city. Tanks were withdrawn to avoid Israeli strikes, but clashes persist in the city's western areas.
