Deadly Clashes Erupt in Syria's Sweida as Druze Factions Break Ceasefire Agreement
In the heart of southern Syria, the ceasefire in Sweida, declared on July 19, 2025, remains fragile and under strain. This truce was established following intense intercommunal violence involving Druze militias, Bedouin clans, government forces, and other armed groups.
Despite the ceasefire, sporadic violence has continued. Government forces have regained control of positions seized by militias in Tal Hadid, Rimat Hazem, and Walgha in the Sweida countryside. Fighting erupted between Syrian government forces and local factions around Tal Hadid, resulting in casualties. At least four others died in these clashes, including three security personnel and one local fighter.
The Syrian Interior Ministry has confirmed that a number of security personnel were killed and injured in the violations of the ceasefire. The attack occurred amid ongoing efforts by the Syrian government to evacuate civilians from Sweida to safer areas, primarily in neighboring Daraa province.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the truce and restoring stability across the province. However, the United Nations and humanitarian agencies have highlighted that the ceasefire's effectiveness is undermined by continuing hostilities and significant challenges to aid delivery, aggravating a severe humanitarian situation in Sweida.
Rebel gangs continue to attempt to drag the province into tension and chaos. These groups use breaches of truce agreements to cover up their abusive practices, including unlawful arrests inside the city. Armed groups used heavy and medium weapons and mortar shells in the attack, injuring several others.
The Syrian transitional administration is working to stabilize the country and move beyond decades of authoritarian rule. Despite the challenges, they remain committed to protecting Druze citizens and rejecting any external interference. However, the security environment is further complicated by Israeli attacks impacting the area.
Humanitarian aid from regional administrations has been mobilized to address worsening conditions caused by fighting and disruptions to basic services. The ceasefire in Sweida is holding in a limited, precarious manner but remains challenged by sporadic violence and severe humanitarian hardships affecting the local population and security dynamics in southern Syria.
[1] Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Sweida Violence Leaves 426 Dead," August 1, 2025. [2] Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "Sweida Ceasefire Agreement," July 20, 2025. [3] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, "Sweida Ceasefire Challenged by Continuing Violence," August 5, 2025. [4] Middle East Eye, "Sweida: Violence Continues Despite Ceasefire," August 3, 2025. [5] Reuters, "Sweida: Humanitarian Crisis Worsens Amid Violence," August 7, 2025.
- The ceasefire in Sweida, Syria, despite being fragile, remains in a limited and precarious state, facing continuous challenges from sporadic violence.
- The Syrian government has been trying to restore stability in Sweida province, while fighting between local factions and government forces persists, causing casualties and undermining the effectiveness of the ceasefire.
- Amid these ongoing hostilities, the Syrian Interior Ministry, human rights organizations, and various media outlets have reported unlawful arrests, breaches of truce agreements, and the use of heavy weapons by armed groups in Sweida.
- The Syrian transitional administration, despite facing external interference and Israeli attacks, wishes to improve the security situation and protect its citizens, particularly the Druze community, in their effort to move beyond decades of authoritarian rule.
