The southern Syrian province of Sweida has been plunged into a new wave of violence, as armed clashes between Bedouin tribes and groups from the Druze minority have spiraled out of control. According to data released by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the death toll has reached at least 321 people.
Escalating Violence and Government Inaction
The wounded have been transported to a field hospital in the village of Deraa, while armed confrontations continued into Friday in several areas of the province, according to local residents.
In a statement to the Syrian state news agency, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry declared that government forces are currently not planning to return to Sweida. This statement came in response to regional media reports that the Syrian government was preparing to intervene again in the province to quell the violence between armed Druze groups and Bedouin tribes.
Syrian army troops had withdrawn from Sweida following the announcement of a ceasefire reached on Wednesday. However, violence erupted again on Thursday evening, involving armed groups from both warring factions.
Israeli Involvement Further Complicates Situation
In an attempt to restore order, the government in Damascus redeployed military forces to the area earlier this week. Sweida province is located near the border with Israeli-controlled territories, and the situation has escalated further following Tel Aviv’s involvement in the fighting.
Israel, which has expressed opposition to the deployment of Syrian regime forces in the south of the country, responded with attacks on Syrian positions. On Wednesday, Israeli forces struck Syrian troops, also targeting the Syrian Ministry of Defense and an area near the presidential palace in Damascus.
