Clashes between Druze and Bedouin Arab tribes continue in Syria’s southern Sweida province, near the Jordanian border, while six soldiers were killed in an attack by Druze forces on Syrian army units deployed to restore order in the area.
A source from the Syrian Ministry of Defence told the state-run Syrian News Channel that military reinforcements had been sent to Sweida to end the ongoing tribal fighting, but were met with an attack by Druze forces. The assault resulted in the death of six soldiers and the capture of nine others.
Interior Ministry spokesman Nureddin al-Baba stated to Syrian News Channel that they are responding to calls for help from the people of Sweida and are coordinating with key actors in the province.
Al-Baba said, “A security deployment plan has been prepared by the defence and interior ministries. The aim of this plan is to restore state authority, uphold the rule of law, and disarm illegal armed groups.”
Clashes are currently ongoing in the southern countryside of the province, particularly in the town of Kanaker and the western rural areas.
Meanwhile, prominent Druze leader Sheikh al-Hijri issued a written statement declaring that the Syrian army and security forces would not be allowed to enter the region.
Hijri accused the Syrian government of providing military support to the Bedouin tribes and called for “urgent international protection.”
At the time of Hijri’s statement, Israeli fighter jets were observed flying along the Quneitra–Sweida–Daraa axis in southern Syria.
Following the outbreak of Syria’s civil war, the Israeli government had promised military and political support to the Druze minority in their opposition to the Damascus regime, hampering efforts to reintegrate the Druze region into the rest of the country.
The current clashes began yesterday morning when Druze groups seized several vehicles belonging to the Bedouin Arab tribes, sparking minor armed confrontations.
Both sides have since taken civilians hostage, and the violence has escalated, with at least 30 people reported killed and over 100 wounded so far.
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