Sweida, Syria – July 17, 2025 – RKS News
Deadly clashes have erupted once again in the southern Syrian city of Sweida, just hours after a fragile ceasefire was declared Tuesday night, intended to halt days of escalating sectarian violence between regime forces and local Druze fighters.
The resurgence of fighting in this Druze-majority province highlights growing rifts among Syria’s diverse communities, many of whom harbor deep distrust toward the Islamist-led central government in Damascus, Reuters reports.
Syrian government troops had been deployed to the province on Monday to contain earlier fighting between Druze militias and Bedouin groups, but instead became entangled in direct combat with the Druze fighters. The deteriorating security situation also drew in Israel, which launched airstrikes on regime positions on both Monday and Tuesday, claiming it was acting to protect the Druze population.
The ceasefire, announced Tuesday evening by Syria’s Ministry of Defense, collapsed by early Wednesday morning.
Local outlet Sweida22 reported intense artillery and mortar fire in the city and surrounding villages. The Syrian Defense Ministry, through the state news agency SANA, blamed the renewed violence on “illegal armed groups” and urged civilians to remain indoors.
Since clashes began on Sunday, dozens of civilians, Druze fighters, and government troops have been reported killed.
Residents and Reuters reporters on the ground described looting, arson, and abuse by regime forces. One local man showed reporters his brother’s body, saying he was shot in the head inside their home during a raid.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a sharp warning to Damascus on Wednesday:
“Leave the Druze alone,” he said, vowing that the Israeli military would continue its airstrikes until Syrian forces fully withdraw from the area.
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said Washington is in contact with all sides “to work toward de-escalation and long-term inclusion.”
The situation remains highly volatile, with fears of wider regional escalation and deepening humanitarian fallout for civilians trapped in the conflict zone.
