Syrian Activists Reported 360 Fatalities Due to Violence
In the southern Syrian province of Suwaida, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the Syrian government and local Druze leaders on July 15–16, 2025, leading to the withdrawal of Syrian army forces from the town. The agreement aimed for the full reintegration of Suwaida under Syrian government authority. However, tensions and sporadic violence continue as some Druze militias reject the truce.
The ceasefire terms included measures such as removing weapons outside state control, establishing checkpoints by local police, and ensuring the stability and protection of civilians. The agreement was intended to bring an end to the army's mission to pursue "outlaw groups" in the province.
Unfortunately, the peace has been disrupted by severe clashes between armed Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin groups, which escalated following the abduction of a Druze trader. These clashes have resulted in significant casualties, with over 300 people killed since fighting began, including Druze fighters and civilians, Bedouin fighters, and pro-government forces.
Israeli airstrikes have targeted areas near Suwaida and Damascus, aiming to protect the Druze minority and prevent Islamist militant expansion in the region. These strikes have added complexity to the conflict dynamic, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting that 15 members of the Syrian Defense and Interior Ministries were killed in the Israeli airstrikes.
The Syrian government sent troops and other security forces to Suwaida, claiming it wanted to ensure stability and protect civilians. However, this move has been met with contradictory statements from Druze spiritual leaders. While Jusuf al-Jarbu published the conditions of the ceasefire, which included Suwaida's integration into state structures and Damascus gaining control over the entire province, Hikmat al-Hijri contradicted claims that a ceasefire had been agreed upon and called on fighters to continue resisting "criminal gangs" in Suwaida.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an end to the fighting in Suwaida, Syria, and condemned all acts of violence against civilians and actions that exacerbate sectarian tensions. Guterres also condemned Israel's attacks in neighbouring Syria and called for an immediate end to all violations of Syrian sovereignty.
Israel's Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered a further increase in reconnaissance and attack capabilities in response to the ongoing violence. Some Druze from Israel attempted to cross the border into Syria to support other Druze there, further complicating the situation.
As efforts for de-escalation continue, the security situation in Suwaida remains fragile. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the troops and security forces fought alongside Sunni Bedouins against Druze militias in the region. The Druze are a religious minority that emerged from Shiite Islam and live mainly in Syria, but also in Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.
In conclusion, the ceasefire in Suwaida has been reached and Syrian army forces have withdrawn from the town, but tensions and sporadic violence persist as some Druze militias reject the truce. The situation remains complex, with Israeli airstrikes targeting areas near Suwaida and ongoing clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouins. Efforts for de-escalation are ongoing, but the security situation remains fragile.
The ceasefire terms also extended to addressing issues of crime and justice, with the Syrian government pledging to dismantle "outlaw groups" in the province. Meanwhile, the ongoing clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin groups have been covered extensively in general news, war and conflicts, and crime and justice sectors.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres' call for an end to the violence in Suwaida extends beyond just stopping the fighting, but also includes cessation of actions that exacerbate sectarian tensions and violations of Syrian sovereignty, which falls under the category of politics and general news.
