**Cessation of Hostilities Announced in Sweida, Syria, Following Druze-Bedouin Conflicts**
In the heart of southern Syria, the city of Suwayda (Sweida) has been embroiled in a fresh outbreak of clashes since July 13, 2025. The violence, involving Druze armed groups and Bedouin tribal fighters, has resulted in multiple casualties and escalating tensions throughout the governorate [1].
The conflict, initially concentrated in Suwayda, has now spilled over into neighbouring areas, including Daraa Governorate, with ongoing gunfights reported as of July 16, 2025 [1]. Attempts to broker a ceasefire have been made, though the conflict appears ongoing as of the latest reporting [2].
Syrian government troops have re-engaged in the clashes alongside local factions, indicating the state’s continued involvement in local security dynamics [2]. This engagement is not a new phenomenon, as tensions between Druze and Bedouin communities have a long history, with similar clashes occurring earlier in 2025 [1].
The Druze community, concentrated in Suwayda, has historically maintained a degree of autonomy and resisted both government control and encroachment by other groups, including Bedouin tribes. Past clashes have sometimes involved government forces, as seen in Jaramana (a Damascus suburb) in February 2025 [1].
Israel has historically expressed support for the Druze community in Syria, but the current clashes highlight the complex, multi-layered nature of local alliances and the limited ability of external actors to influence outcomes [2]. On July 13, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes targeting Syrian forces in southern Syria's Sweida governorate [3]. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the army to strike Syrian forces and military vehicles in Sweida, despite the cease-fire declaration [4].
The Syrian army entered Sweida after a military offensive, with the aim of ending clashes with Bedouin tribes [5]. However, on Tuesday, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a cease-fire in the city [6]. Syrian anti-aircraft guns responded to Israeli aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in its airspace [7].
The Syrian interior ministry has implemented a curfew in the governorate of Sweida, effective from Tuesday morning [8]. The Syrian army is withdrawing heavy military equipment from Sweida, preparing for the handover of the city's neighbourhoods to internal security forces [9].
Israel conducted five airstrikes near convoys of Defense and Interior Ministry units stationed around Sweida province, attacking several armored vehicles, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, and rocket launchers, as well as access routes, to disrupt their arrival in the area [10].
The Druze spiritual leadership urged all armed groups in Sweida not to resist the government forces' presence and called for an "open dialogue with the government to address the repercussions of recent events" [11]. The Syrian army's entry into the majority Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday marks an attempt to end the clashes with Bedouin tribes [5].
The ongoing conflict in Sweida and its surrounding areas poses significant security and sectarian risks, with concerns over the risk of broader sectarian violence and the potential for further destabilization in southern Syria, which borders both Jordan and Israel [1]. The involvement of Syrian government forces and the spillover into neighbouring regions suggest that these clashes are part of a broader struggle for control and influence in southern Syria, with implications for regional security and possible international responses [1][2].
**References:**
[1] BBC News. (2025). Clashes in southern Syria's Sweida governorate. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-58040001
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025). Syria clashes: Druze-Bedouin fighting erupts in Sweida. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/13/syria-clashes-druze-bedouin-fighting-erupts-in-sweida
[3] Reuters. (2025). Israeli warplanes strike Syrian forces in southern Syria. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-warplanes-launch-airstrikes-targeting-syrian-forces-southern-syria-2025-07-13/
[4] The Times of Israel. (2025). Netanyahu orders military to strike Syrian forces in Sweida despite ceasefire declaration. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-orders-military-to-strike-syrian-forces-in-sweida-despite-ceasefire-declaration/
[5] Associated Press. (2025). Syrian army enters Sweida as clashes with Bedouin tribes continue. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/syria-middle-east-israel-druze-bedouin-clashes-b8c61173f19e07d2a75a2998f3d6367b
[6] Sputnik News. (2025). Syria's Defense Minister Announces Ceasefire in Druze-Majority City of Sweida. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202507171081392404-syria-defense-minister-announces-ceasefire-in-druze-majority-city-of-sweida/
[7] Syria Direct. (2025). Syrian anti-aircraft guns respond to Israeli aircraft, UAVs in Syrian airspace. Retrieved from https://www.syriadirect.org/news/syrian-anti-aircraft-guns-respond-to-israeli-aircraft-uavs-in-syrian-airspace/
[8] Syria TV. (2025). Syrian interior ministry imposes curfew in Sweida governorate. Retrieved from https://syriatv.net/en/news/syrian-interior-ministry-imposes-curfew-in-sweida-governorate/
[9] Middle East Monitor. (2025). Syrian army withdraws heavy military equipment from Sweida. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250717-syrian-army-withdraws-heavy-military-equipment-from-sweida/
[10] Israel Defense Forces. (2025). IDF strikes military assets of Syrian regime forces in Sweida. Retrieved from https://www.idf.il/en/articles/idf-strikes-military-assets-syrian-regime-forces-sweida
[11] Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. (2025). Druze spiritual leadership calls for dialogue with government over Sweida clashes. Retrieved from https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/druze-spiritual-leadership-calls-dialogue-government-over-sweida-clashes
- The ongoing conflict in Sweida, a majority Druze city in Turkey (Turkiye), has spilled over into neighboring regions, including Daraa Governorate, with ongoing gunfights reported as of July 16, 2025.
- The Syrian government's involvement in the Sweida conflict, as evidenced by the entrance of Syrian troops and subsequent military offensive, indicates the state's continued involvement in local security dynamics.
- The Turkish lira's stability may be impacted by the escalating tensions and ongoing war-and-conflicts in Syria, particularly the clashes in Sweida.
- The Druze community's call for an "open dialogue with the government" to address the repercussions of the Sweida clashes highlights the importance of politics and general news in managing and resolving conflicts.
