Damascus Security Forces Mobilize Again to Quell Clashes Between Druze and Bedouin Tribes in Suwayda

Kokcha News Agency: The Syrian Interior Ministry has announced that security forces are preparing to redeploy to the city of Suwayda to quell clashes between Druze and Bedouin Arab tribes.

This comes after the Syrian government, in a statement yesterday, reiterated its withdrawal of military forces from Suwayda and called for stability.

The statement from the Syrian Presidency accused groups clashing with security forces of violating agreements and threatening internal peace, emphasizing that “all Syrians, regardless of their sect or background, are to be protected.”

The Syrian government also called on the international community to “support efforts to restore stability, control unregulated weapons, and enforce the rule of law across Syria.”

The Presidency further demanded an end to Israel’s interference in Syria’s internal affairs, warning that “such interventions only lead to more chaos and destruction, further complicating the regional situation.”

What’s Happening in the Region?
Small-scale clashes between Bedouin Arab tribes and armed Druze groups began on July 13 in the southern province of Suwayda.

Syrian security forces were dispatched to the region, but dozens of soldiers were killed in attacks by Druze groups. After the clashes escalated between security forces and local armed Druze groups, a ceasefire was brokered.

However, the ceasefire was short-lived. On July 16, the Israeli military launched attacks targeting Syrian security forces in the capital, Damascus.

The Syrian Presidential compound, the General Staff Headquarters, and the Ministry of Defense were all hit. While a new ceasefire was reached between the government and local groups in Suwayda on the same day, Israeli warplanes carried out additional strikes on Damascus and Daraa.

It is estimated that hundreds of people have lost their lives in the clashes and Israeli attacks in Suwayda.