Syrian military retreats from Suwaida after intensive battles, leaving at least 516 casualties behind - Syrian military pulls back following intense clashes in Suwaida, leaving at least 516 fatalities.
Following intense clashes and Israeli airstrikes, the Syrian government announced the withdrawal of its forces from the majority-Druze city of Suwaida on July 16, 2025 [1][2][4]. The decision came after renewed deadly clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin groups, resulting in over 300 deaths since the fighting erupted earlier that week [1][2].
The withdrawal follows an agreement between Damascus and local Druze leaders aimed at ending the violence. As part of the deal, Syrian government forces completed their mission to pursue "groups outside the law" and ceased all offensive operations [1]. The ceasefire includes establishing checkpoints run by local police and security forces, removing weapons outside state control, integrating Suwaida fully into the Syrian state, and creating a fact-finding committee to investigate crimes and human rights violations committed during the conflict [1].
However, some government troops and allied militias reportedly remain in southern districts of the city, including at the main hospital [4]. This ceasefire came under significant pressure from the United States and Israel, with the U.S. calling for military withdrawal to enable de-escalation and Israel conducting multiple airstrikes targeting Syrian military positions in response to the violence [2][4].
The situation in Suwaida had rapidly deteriorated into chaos, with numerous civilian casualties, abductions, looting, and widespread destruction reported. The UN Syria Commission expressed deep concern over the escalation, urging all parties to stop violence immediately, respect human rights, and ensure civilian protection and access to humanitarian aid [3].
The conflict in Suwaida has been condemned internationally, with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul describing the number of civilian casualties as "shocking" [5]. Syrian interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has stated that the government will hold accountable those who have harmed the people of the Druze [6].
It's important to note that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organisation that relies on a network of activists on the ground, reports that at least 516 people have died in the conflict in Suwaida [7]. Additionally, 83 people were reportedly "executed by security forces" in Suwaida [7].
The Druze community, who live not only in Syria but also in other countries, including Israel, have been significantly affected by the violence. In Israel, Druze citizens serve in the army unlike other Arab Israelis [8].
The new Syrian leadership, led by former jihadist al-Shaara, has sought a more moderate image [9]. However, the situation in Suwaida after the withdrawal of government troops remains "catastrophic" [10]. The new leadership has repeatedly pledged to protect the country's minorities, but the full return to calm has yet to be realised [10].
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, July 16). Syria: Druze-majority Suweida city under government control. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58056046 [2] Reuters. (2025, July 16). Israel strikes Syria after renewed Druze-Bedouin fighting. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-strikes-syria-after-renewed-druze-bedouin-fighting-2025-07-16/ [3] UN News. (2025, July 17). UN calls for immediate end to violence in Syria's Suweida. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1092182 [4] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 16). Israel bombs Syria after clashes erupt in Druze-majority Suweida. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/16/israel-bombs-syria-after-clashes-erupt-in-druze-majority-suweida [5] Deutsche Welle. (2025, July 17). Suweida conflict: German FM condemns 'shocking' civilian casualties. https://www.dw.com/en/suweida-conflict-german-fm-condemns-shocking-civilian-casualties/a-60863685 [6] Associated Press. (2025, July 16). Syria's Druze-majority city of Suweida under government control after clashes. https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-syria-druze-israel-conflict-933655551df4f6c34925c47d28a0e5a7 [7] Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (2025, July 18). Over 500 people killed in Suweida conflict. https://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=161100 [8] The Jerusalem Post. (2021, September 16). Druze in Israel serve in the army unlike other Arab Israelis. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/druze-in-israel-serve-in-the-army-unlike-other-arab-israelis-679532 [9] The New Arab. (2025, June 1). New Syrian leadership seeks moderate image. https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2025/6/1/new-syrian-leadership-seeks-moderate-image [10] Middle East Eye. (2025, July 20). Syria's Druze-majority city of Suweida remains 'catastrophic' after government withdrawal. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-druze-majority-city-suweida-remains-catastrophic-after-government-withdrawal
- The Syrian government's decision to withdraw its forces from Suwaida on Sunday, July 16, 2025, came after intense clashes and violently renewed fighting between local Druze militias and Bedouin groups, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting at least 516 deaths since the conflict erupted earlier in the week.
- In the aftermath of the government troops' withdrawal from Suwaida, amid ongoing pressure from the United States and Israel, political tensions and concerns over human rights violations persist, as the situation in the city remains "catastrophic" and the full return to calm has yet to be realized.
