Sweida: At least 40 individuals have lost their lives in ongoing clashes between armed groups in the southern Syrian province of Sweida. Among the deceased are 27 members of the Druze minority and 10 Bedouins, while around 50 others have sustained injuries, some of which are critical, according to reports.
According to Ghana News Agency, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has been documenting the violence in Syria since 2011, noted that the clashes persisted overnight and into Monday morning. A source close to the Syrian Ministry of Defence revealed that four soldiers from the Syrian Arab Army were killed and 15 others wounded during efforts to quell the violence and protect civilians in the region.
The soldiers reportedly came under attack while attempting to de-escalate the fighting and secure affected areas in eastern and western Sweida since Sunday. Some of the wounded soldiers are in serious condition. The Syrian Interior Ministry reported earlier that the death toll in several communities had exceeded 30, with around 100 injuries.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government, which took control of the capital following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad six months ago, is actively working to restore peace. According to the observatory, the unrest originated from a robbery incident involving a Druze youth on the Damascus-Sweida highway. Local tribes allegedly set up a checkpoint, assaulted the young man, and robbed him, leading to retaliatory actions by Druze fighters, including the kidnapping of Bedouins.
The Ministry of Defence has deployed military units to end the violence, with some troops reportedly siding with the Bedouins. The ministry emphasized its commitment to civilian protection and highlighted the importance of cooperation between the state and citizens to restore security and stability in Sweida.
Efforts are underway to calm the situation, with the government working alongside Druze leaders and the governor of Sweida. The new government has pledged to create a 'Syria for all' in the country with a population of approximately 23 million people. The international community remains skeptical about the treatment of minorities under the new leadership, especially in light of recent sectarian violence.
Recently, a jihadist group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a Damascus church, resulting in at least 25 deaths and over 60 injuries, further heightening concerns about the safety of religious minorities in the new Syria.
