Violence in Syria reportedly leads to the death of 360 activists
As of July 16, 2025, a ceasefire has been announced in the Syrian province of Suwayda, following a series of clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin groups. The Syrian government has agreed to withdraw its forces from the region, marking a significant step towards peace [1][2][5].
The ceasefire agreement includes a "total and immediate halt to all military operations" and the formation of a committee comprising government officials and Druze spiritual leaders to oversee its implementation [2]. However, the situation remains complex, with conflicting reports and ongoing international involvement.
Some Druze leaders have reportedly rejected the ceasefire, indicating ongoing tensions within the community [2]. The US, Turkey, and Israel have all been involved in efforts to secure the ceasefire, with Israel launching airstrikes to protect the Druze minority [4]. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has stated that progress is being made towards a ceasefire agreement [3].
Yousuf al-Jarbo, a Druze spiritual leader, has published the conditions of the ceasefire, including the integration of Suwaida into the state's structures and Damascus gaining control over the entire province [6]. Israel has increased its surveillance and attack capabilities in the Golan Heights, prepared to strike harder to protect the Druze in Syria [7].
The violence in Suwayda began over the weekend, resulting in a death toll of 360, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights [8]. The Syrian government sent troops and other security forces to the province to quell the violence, which broke out between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouins [9].
Hikmat al-Hijri, another Druze spiritual leader, has contradicted claims of a ceasefire, calling on fighters to continue resisting and unconditionally freeing Suwaida from "criminal gangs" [10]. There were initial confusion about the acceptance of the ceasefire between Druze, Bedouin, and government troops in Suwaida [11]. Fighting resumed in Suwaida after this initial confusion.
The Ministry of Defense did not mention the withdrawal of other security forces from Suwaida in its statement about the troop withdrawal [12]. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that the troops and security forces were fighting alongside the Bedouins against Druze militias [13].
The ceasefire in Suwayda is a work in progress, with the formation of a supervisory committee and international diplomatic efforts aiming to consolidate the ceasefire and stabilize the region. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing tensions and conflicting reports, but the international community remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution.
- The international community, including the US, Turkey, and Israel, are actively working to consolidate the ceasefire in the Syrian province of Suwayda, with ongoing efforts to secure a peaceful resolution, despite some Druze leaders rejecting the agreement, conflicting reports, and international involvement in the war-and-conflicts region.
- Despite the Syrian government's agreement to withdraw its forces from Suwayda, the situation remains complex due to ongoing clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin groups, the formation of a supervisory committee comprising government officials and Druze spiritual leaders, and ongoing tensions, all of which fall under the general-news and crime-and-justice categories.
