The recent violence in Sweida province, a significant region for Syria’s Druze minority, has tragically led to a death toll of 940 since last weekend, according to a war monitor.
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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that among the deceased are 326 Druze fighters and 262 Druze civilians, with 182 individuals having faced what can only be described as summary executions at the hands of defense and interior ministry personnel. Additionally, the casualties include 312 government security personnel and 21 Sunni Bedouin, three of whom were also summarily executed by Druze fighters. The Observatory also indicates that 15 government troops lost their lives due to Israeli strikes.
On Wednesday, Israel conducted significant strikes in Damascus, notably targeting military headquarters. Tom Barrack, the U.S. point person on Syria, confirmed that Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have “agreed to a ceasefire,” which was negotiated by the United States. This deal, supported by Turkey—an ally of Mr. Sharaa—and neighboring Jordan, aims to bring a measure of stability to the volatile region. Mr. Barrack urged Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to “put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbors,” as shared on X.
Complications arose when Mr. Sharaa announced that government forces would pull out of Sweida. He indicated that this mediation helped avert a “large-scale escalation” with Israel, yet his office has subsequently accused Druze fighters of violating the ceasefire. In response, Mr. Sharaa’s office pledged to send additional forces to the area to diffuse ongoing tensions, urging all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue.
Unfortunately, renewed hostilities erupted yesterday at the entrance to Sweida, as around 200 tribal fighters clashed with armed Druze men using machine guns and shells. The Syrian Observatory reported further fighting and shelling in neighborhoods across Sweida.
The situation within the Sweida National Hospital presents a grim reality; a foul odor permeates the air from the deceased, as disfigured bodies accumulate in refrigeration units. Dr. Omar Obeid, a physician at the facility, remarked that they have received “more than 400 bodies” since Monday morning. “There is no more room in the morgue. The bodies are in the street,” stated Obeid, the president of the Sweida branch of the Order of Physicians.
The UN’s International Organization for Migration revealed that approximately 79,339 people have been displaced since the violence reignited, with 20,019 of them fleeing on Thursday alone.
In a show of solidarity, tribal reinforcements from various regions of Syria have converged upon Sweida to support local Bedouins amidst their longstanding feuds with the Druze. Tribal chief Anas al-Enad, from Hama, expressed, “The Bedouin called for our help and we came to support them.” The aftermath of this escalated conflict has left many homes and shops in ruins, with control now shifting to the Bedouin and their allies.
In response to the humanitarian crisis, Israel has pledged nearly $600,000 in aid, including food and medical supplies, to support the Druze community in Sweida. This assistance underscores Israel’s commitment to defend the Druze, although some analysts suggest this move could serve to weaken the Syrian military at a time when it is perceived to be vulnerable following the ousting of Assad’s regime.
Rayan Maarouf, editor-in-chief of local news outlet Suwayda 24, characterized the humanitarian situation as “catastrophic,” lamenting, “We cannot find milk for children.” In light of the violence, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for an immediate ceasefire along with “independent, prompt, and transparent investigations into all violations.” The International Committee for the Red Cross has warned that overwhelmed health facilities, compounded by power outages, are hampering their ability to preserve bodies in overfilled morgues.
“The humanitarian situation in Sweida is critical. People are running out of everything,” stated Stephan Sakalian, the head of ICRC’s delegation in Syria. “Hospitals are increasingly struggling to treat the wounded and the sick, and families are unable to bury their loved ones with dignity.”
This latest wave of violence can be traced back to the kidnapping of a Druze vegetable merchant by local Bedouin, which ignited a series of retaliatory abductions, as reported by the Britain-based Observatory.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
