More than 50 individuals have lost their lives during a second day of sectarian violence in Syria, involving clashes between Bedouin groups and militias from the Druse religious minority, according to local health officials and monitoring groups.
The confrontations in the southern province of Sweida highlight the challenges faced by the new government under President Ahmed al-Shara in establishing control since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December. The Druse militias have resisted the government's efforts to unify all armed groups under its authority.
Since the clashes began on Sunday, over 150 people have been reported injured, as stated by a local health official who requested anonymity due to the delicate nature of the situation. Among the deceased, more than two children were reported, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring organization.
The Syrian government has called for restraint and deployed military forces to “quickly and decisively” address the conflict, as indicated in a statement from the Defense Ministry on social media. The government also announced that its forces were facilitating safe passage for civilians attempting to evacuate the area.
Reports indicate that 18 soldiers sent to the region to restore order were killed, according to a defense official who spoke anonymously due to restrictions on discussing sensitive military matters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that military reinforcements were dispatched to secure checkpoints that had been targeted by Druse groups and to support local tribal fighters.
The government emphasized that the violence underscored the necessity for control over the province. Sweida has largely remained under the influence of Druse armed groups since al-Shara, a former rebel commander with past ties to Al Qaeda, assumed power.
Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated on social media that the lack of state institutions, particularly military and security forces, is a primary factor contributing to the ongoing tensions. He asserted that restoring security and activating institutional roles is essential for achieving civil peace and normalcy.
The Druse community practices a religion that is an offshoot of Islam. One Druse religious organization has called for an end to the violence while urging the government to safeguard its members from what they termed “uncontrolled gangs.”
In a statement on social media, the group's leadership condemned aggression in all forms but also expressed refusal to accept ongoing injustices or remain silent about repeated violations affecting their community.
The violence in Sweida, which serves as the heartland of the Druse community, poses a risk of escalating religious and ethnic tensions that have been exacerbated by the civil war. In March, over 1,600 people were killed during large-scale sectarian clashes in Syria’s coastal provinces, primarily targeting the Alawite religious minority.
In April, more than 100 individuals were killed in sectarian violence between pro-government forces and Druse fighters near the capital, Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the recent violence was preceded by a series of retaliatory kidnappings between Druse and pro-government tribal groups, leading tribal communities to establish checkpoints and detain Druse fighters.
Another monitoring group, Suwayda 24, reported on social media that civilians were attempting to flee the area for their safety.