Damascus [Syria], July 17: Fighting continued after the Syrian army entered the city of Sweida in the province of the same name, while Israeli aircraft carried out airstrikes to protect the minority community there.
Despite a ceasefire declaration by Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra on July 15, clashes continued yesterday in Sweida and government forces were accused of taking action against civilians.
According to AP, President Ahmed al-Sharaa ordered the authorities to immediately deal with those who violate the law, regardless of their position. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR, based in the UK) said yesterday that at least 248 people have been killed since the conflict began over the weekend, including dozens of civilians.
Causes of conflict
Fighting initially broke out between Sunni Bedouin groups loyal to al-Sharaa and the Druze majority in Sweida. However, after the government sent security forces to restore order on July 14, they clashed with the Druze groups.
The Druze are an Arab group that practices a separate religion from Islam. In Syria , the Druze are the majority in Sweida and neighboring southern provinces near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. After toppling former leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, President al-Sharaa pledged to integrate and protect all of Syria's communities, but Sunni Muslim forces loyal to him have continued to engage in violent confrontations with religious minorities, including the Druze, according to CNN. In April, clashes between pro-government forces and Druze militias left at least 100 people dead.
The issue that has strained relations between the new Syrian government and the Druze is the disarming of Druze militias and their integration into the overall force. Mr. al-Sharaa, in his efforts to bring the armed factions under a unified military, has been unable to reach an agreement with the Druze. Some Druze remain wary of Mr. al-Sharaa and have expressed concern about their leader's exclusion from the national dialogue process and their limited role in the new government.
Israel warns
The Israeli military carried out airstrikes on Syrian security forces before and after the ceasefire was announced. Israel's intervention is believed to be motivated by historical ties with the Druze and geopolitical interests.
The Druze are a minority community in Israel and play an important role in the country's armed forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on July 15 to protect the Druze in Syria because of their "deep brotherhood" with the Druze in Israel. Moreover, Israel's intervention is also aimed at preventing the Syrian army from sending weapons and forces to the south, where Israel has unilaterally declared a demilitarized zone to ensure border security. Damascus and the international community have called on Israel to stop military actions in Syrian territory.
Israel's closest ally, the United States, has pushed Tel Aviv to normalize relations with Syria and other Arab countries in the region. However, Israel has remained cautious toward al-Sharaa's government despite recent direct and indirect diplomatic contacts. Yesterday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of an escalation of the offensive if the Syrian army did not withdraw from Sweida and "leave the Druze alone."
According to Reuters, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack expressed concern about the violence in Sweida and said Washington was working to mediate between the Druze, Bedouins, the Syrian government and Israel.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
