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Escalation of Clashes: 50 Killers in the Most Intense Fighting in As-Suwayda
The As-Suwayda Governorate continues to witness military escalation and intense clashes between groups from Bedouin tribes and members of the Ministries of Defense and Interior on one side, and fighters from the Druze community on the other, in a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and civilian safety.
Since the morning of Sunday, July 13, the area has experienced high bloodshed, as exchanges of fire and mutual shelling have resulted in 50 deaths so far, including two children. Among the dead are 34 residents of As-Suwayda, including the children, 10 Bedouin tribesmen, and 6 members of the Ministry of Defense. Additionally, dozens have been injured, some critically.
On Monday morning, the region saw a significant escalation as groups from the Bedouin tribes launched an armed attack from the eastern countryside of Daraa, targeting villages in the western countryside of As-Suwayda. While Syrian forces increased their efforts, they sent large military reinforcements equipped with various weapons and dozens of soldiers to support the checkpoint sites that had been attacked. Some units of the Ministry of Defense are actively participating in the fighting.
The escalation is attributed to mutual detention incidents between the two sides, after a young man from As-Suwayda was assaulted by a group of tribes near the city of Masyameh, where he was beaten and robbed before being released in critical health condition. In response, residents of As-Suwayda detained members of the tribes, leading to the establishment of a checkpoint in the Al-Maqous neighborhood, the detention of several individuals, and the blocking of the main road, all of which increased tensions and internal conflicts.
As-Suwayda is experiencing ongoing escalation, with security conditions deteriorating and violence intensifying, as residents hope for urgent solutions to end this crisis, which is becoming increasingly complex.
