Syria urges local factions to secure violence-hit Sweida
Syrian Troops Move Into Sweida After Druze‑Bedouin Violence
After months of deadly clashes that killed more than 350 people, the Syrian government has said that local chiefs will take over security in the city of Sweida. The move comes as Israel has carried out air strikes against Syrian forces, including the army headquarters in Damascus, threatening further escalation.
Government Forces Deploy to Restate Truce
- Syrian troops arrived in Sweida with a mandate to enforce a truce between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes.
- Witnesses reported that government forces joined Bedouin attackers against Druze fighters and civilians.
- Israel’s military has responded with multiple strikes on Syrian forces, risking withdrawal from the south if conditions do not improve.
Withdrawal and U.S. Mediation Claims Calm
On Wednesday, the Syrian army announced it was pulling back from Sweida. The United States, an ally of Israel seeking to rebuild ties with Syria, said an agreement had been reached to restore order in the area. U.S. officials urged all parties to deliver on commitments.
Interim President Ahmed al‑Sharaa Addresses Druze Community
In a televised address, President al‑Sharaa declared that responsibility for Sweida’s security would be handed to religious elders and local factions “based on the supreme national interest.” He emphasized accountability for those who abused Druze people, under state protection and responsibility.
“Keep Druze Rights Safe” Statement
Al‑Sharaa called the Druze community a “fundamental part of the fabric of this nation” and pledged to protect their rights and freedom as a top priority.
Background on Minority Relations
- The new Islamist authorities, which toppled Bashar al‑Assad in December, have strained relations with Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities.
- They face accusations of insufficient protection for minorities.
- In March, more than 1,700 Alawite civilians were massacred in the coastal heartland, with government‑affiliated groups blamed for the killings.
Escalation of Druze Battles in Sweida
Syrian forces fought Druze fighters in Sweida province and near Damascus in April and May, leaving over 100 people dead. Al‑Sharaa accused “outlaw groups” whose leaders rejected dialogue for months of committing crimes against civilians in recent days.
Intervention Success Despite Israel’s Bombing
The deployment of defense and interior ministry forces succeeded in returning stability, according to al‑Sharaa, despite Israeli bombings that targeted the south and Damascus. Israel, which has its own Druze community, has presented itself as a defender of the Syrian minority, although some analysts see the mission as a pretext for keeping Syrian government forces far from their shared frontier.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Stance
Rubio expressed concern about Israeli bombings on Wednesday, stating “we want it to stop.” He later announced that all sides had agreed on specific steps to end the troubling situation. Rubio wrote on social media, “All parties must deliver on the commitments they have made, and we fully expect them to do so.”
Sharaa Hails Mediation Efforts
Sharaa praised U.S., Arab and Turkish mediation for preventing the conflict from spiraling. He described Israelis’ wide‑scale targeting of civilian and government facilities and said the effective intervention of American, Arab, and Turkish mediation saved the region from an unknown fate. He did not specify which Arab countries had mediated.
Key Regional Support
Turkey remains a major backer of Syria’s new authorities, while Arab states such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also shown support.
