Deadly violence in Syria reportedly claims 360 lives, according to activists
The ceasefire in the Druze-majority town of Suwayda, Syria, has collapsed following a resurgence of clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin groups. The initial truce was reached on July 16, 2025, after days of violence that began over disputes involving vehicle seizures and escalated into kidnappings and retaliatory actions.
The Syrian government, which initially announced a ceasefire and withdrawal of troops from Suwayda, has faced resistance in its attempts to mediate the situation. The agreement, which included the deployment of security checkpoints and the integration of Suwayda into the Syrian state, has not been sufficient to maintain peace.
The violence has also been complicated by external factors, such as Israeli airstrikes in the region. Israel claims these strikes are aimed at protecting the Druze minority, adding another layer of tension to the conflict. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 15 members of the Syrian Defense and Interior Ministries were killed in these airstrikes.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an end to the fighting in Suwayda, condemning all violence against civilians, including reports of arbitrary killings and acts that exacerbate sectarian tensions. Guterres also condemned Israel's attacks in Syria and called for an immediate end to all violations of Syrian sovereignty.
In response to the escalating violence, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered an increase in reconnaissance and attack capabilities to strengthen strikes and stop attacks on Druze in Syria. The Druze are a religious minority that predominantly live in Syria but also in Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. Suwayda province in the south is their stronghold.
The Syrian government has announced that it will immediately halt all military operations in accordance with a new ceasefire agreement. A committee of government representatives and Druze clerics will reportedly oversee the implementation of the ceasefire. However, the ongoing conflicts between the Druze militias and Sunni Bedouins in Suwayda pose a significant challenge to the sustainability of the truce.
General news outlets have reported on the ongoing conflicts in Syria, particularly in the Druze-majority town of Suwayda, where a ceasefire has collapsed due to resurgent clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin groups. Amidst these war-and-conflicts, the Syrian government's attempts to mediate the situation have faced resistance, with the peace agreement failing to maintain peace due to factors such as external influence, politics, and crime-and-justice complications.
