Over 500 killed in south Syria violence
Over 500 people people have been killed in southern Syria's Sweida province, a war monitor said Thursday, giving an updated toll after several days of clashes that triggered the deployment of government forces.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights counted 79 Druze fighters and 154 civilians from Sweida among the dead, including 83 people "who were summarily executed by members of the defense and interior ministries". The clashes also claimed the lives of 243 government personnel and 18 Bedouin fighters, in addition to three members of Bedouin tribes "who were summarily executed by Druze fighters".
Fifteen government personnel were also killed in Israeli airstrikes.
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Ya Libnan
3 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
Only Federalism Can Save Syria—and Perhaps the Middle East
BY; YA LIBNAN Despite his hollow promises, Ahmed al-Sharaa has failed miserably in protecting Syria's vulnerable minorities. His brief rule has not ushered in a new era of inclusion or reconciliation, but one of betrayal and brutality. Many minorities across Syria—from Christians to Alawites, Druze to Kurds—no longer see Sharaa as a protector but as a former ISIS affiliate in a business suit. Since unilaterally appointing himself as Syria's interim president, hundreds from these communities have been killed. Nowhere is his failure more glaring than in Sweida, where government forces dispatched to quell violence between Sunni Bedouins and the Druze ended up siding with the Bedouins. Instead of restoring order, they executed Druze civilians at gunpoint, looted homes, and set them ablaze. These actions confirm what many Syrians have long feared: Sharaa has no intention to govern for all Syrians—only to consolidate power under the guise of security. In this climate of deep mistrust and sectarian tension, the idea of a strong, centralized government led by one faction is no longer tenable. Syria needs a new path forward—one that gives every group a stake in the country's future while ensuring local governance, autonomy, and protection. That path is federalism. Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units—such as states, provinces, or cantons. Each unit maintains a degree of autonomy to govern its own affairs, particularly in areas like education, policing, and culture, while still being part of a unified national framework. It is a model that has proven successful in multi-ethnic and multi-religious countries. Perhaps the best example is Switzerland . Despite its linguistic, cultural, and religious diversity, Switzerland has remained peaceful, democratic, and united—not in spite of its differences, but because it embraced them. The Swiss Confederation consists of 26 cantons, each with its own constitution, government, and even police force. Yet all are bound together under a federal government that handles foreign policy, national defense, and major economic policies. It is a country where French, German, Italian, and Romansh speakers coexist harmoniously—not because they were forced to live under a single ruler, but because they were empowered to manage their own affairs within a shared federal system. Syria, like Switzerland, is a patchwork of identities, religions, and histories. Trying to force all Syrians into one mold, under one ruler or one ideology, has only led to tyranny and civil war. But imagine a Syria divided into six or seven cantons—each corresponding to the main communities: Sunni Arabs, Alawites, Druze, Christians, Kurds, and possibly others based on geography and population. Each canton would have the right to govern local affairs, protect its cultural heritage, manage its own security, and elect local officials. Meanwhile, a federal government in Damascus—or a new, neutral capital—would oversee defense, foreign relations, currency, and the rule of law across cantons. Such a system would offer each group what they crave most: dignity, safety, and a voice . It would neutralize the fear of domination by any one group, reduce the risk of sectarian violence, and provide a framework for peaceful coexistence. It would also promote accountability and economic development at the local level, as communities would have more control over their resources and priorities. The case for federalism doesn't stop at Syria. Other fragile states in the Middle East— Lebanon and Iraq in particular—are equally in need of a political rethink. In both countries, sectarianism has hollowed out the state, paralyzed reform, and fueled cycles of corruption and violence. In Lebanon, the confessional power-sharing system has become a recipe for gridlock, rewarding patronage rather than competence. In Iraq, the central government in Baghdad has often clashed with Kurdish aspirations and Sunni marginalization, leading to conflict and chaos. Federalism offers a chance to rebuild these nations—not by erasing their diversity, but by institutionalizing it. By giving each community the power to govern its own affairs while remaining part of a unified state, federalism can foster both local autonomy and national stability . It's not a magic solution, but it's far better than the broken systems currently in place. The dream of a united, inclusive Syria cannot be built on the backs of minorities who feel hunted and betrayed. It cannot rest in the hands of leaders who claim power without legitimacy. It must be rooted in a political system that protects all Syrians equally and gives each group the autonomy to thrive. Federalism is not a partition of Syria—it is the saving of it. It is not a threat to national unity—it is the only path to genuine unity through mutual respect and self-determination. Switzerland is living proof that federalism can transform a fragmented land into a functioning, peaceful, and prosperous country. Syria deserves the same chance. And so do Lebanon and Iraq. The time for federalism is now.
L'Orient-Le Jour
3 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Sweida clashes: Concern in Lebanon, and new calls for calm
As the security situation deteriorated sharply this week in Syria's southern province of Sweida — where fighting between the Druze population on one side and Sunni tribes and government forces on the other has killed over 940 people — sporadic clashes in Lebanon have raised fears that the violence could spill across the border. Over the past few days, leaders across Lebanon have issued calls for calm to prevent sectarian clashes between Druze and Sunnis. The country's highest religious authorities — the Sunni Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdellatif Derian, and the Druze spiritual leader, Sheikh Aql Sami Abi al-Mona — spoke by phone Friday in a joint appeal for restraint. Appeals continued Saturday, coinciding with the start of a cease-fire in Syria. Tripoli MP Ashraf Rifi, a prominent Sunni political figure, told reporters that 'the relationship with the Druze is good,' adding that 'there is no risk of instability spilling into Lebanon thanks to the wisdom shown by the leadership of both communities.' 'Sunnis feel pride in the Syrian revolution's victory, but they take no pride in a conflict with the Druze community,' Rifi said. Asked about Tripoli, where some factions have expressed radical views on the Syrian conflict, Rifi emphasized that 'the dominant voice in the city is one of moderation and wisdom,' noting a history of generally positive relations between Sunnis and Druze, despite periods of tension. But not all were as optimistic. MP Wael Abou Faour, a close ally of Druze leader Walid Joumblatt, said he was 'concerned that the events in Sweida will negatively affect Lebanon.' He added that Joumblatt 'is making contacts both domestically and abroad to prevent any missteps or internal tensions, including road closures and sectarian incidents that have occurred in recent days.' Solidarity rallies with the Druze of Sweida were held Wednesday in the Bekaa Valley and other parts of Lebanon, while in Tripoli's al-Nour Square, dozens gathered in support of the Damascus regime and in protest of Israeli airstrikes. In the Bekaa village of Marj, tensions briefly flared when a group confronted a young man wearing traditional Druze garb. Abou Faour noted that Joumblatt had long cautioned the Druze of Sweida to remain within the Syrian state framework and to maintain dialogue with other national factions. 'Unfortunately,' he said, 'what he warned against has come to pass.' Another Druze figure, Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan, welcomed the cease-fire in a post on X. 'We salute the announcement of a cease-fire in Syria, especially in Sweida, among all factions of the brotherly Syrian people,' he wrote. 'Syria must remain united, as it has throughout history, and continue to serve as a compass for Arab positions.' Joumblatt's roadmap On Friday evening, Joumblatt, his son Taymour — the current leader of the Progressive Socialist Party — and all current and former MPs and ministers in their parliamentary bloc convened at the residence of Sheikh Abi al-Mona. According to the Al-Anbaa news outlet, Joumblatt presented a detailed roadmap aimed at resolving the crisis in Sweida, which he intends to discuss with both the Syrian government and prominent Druze figures in Syria. The plan calls for an immediate cease-fire — achieved the next morning — and serious dialogue between the Syrian state and local stakeholders in Sweida. It also includes a condemnation of Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebanon, the creation of an investigative commission to probe the crimes and abuses committed in Sweida, an end to provocative campaigns within Lebanon, and a rejection of road closures. Joumblatt's roadmap also urges the Syrian government to take direct action with Bedouin communities in the Sweida area to de-escalate tensions and restore stability.
L'Orient-Le Jour
3 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
2 killed in Israeli drone strikes on southern Lebanon
Ahead of a new visit to Beirut by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, aimed at addressing the issue of Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament, southern Lebanon was once again the scene of deadly Israeli strikes, raising the death toll to nearly 300 since the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect at the end of November last year. At least two people were killed in two new drone strikes. The first, which took place in the morning, struck a man on the roof of a house in the Mutal al-Jabal area of Khiam (Marjayoun district), according to our correspondent. The spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, wrote on his X account that the Israeli military had "eliminated a member of Hezbollah's al-Radwan force," stressing that the man "was involved in an attempt to rebuild terrorist infrastructure in the Khiam area of southern Lebanon." The second destroyed a moped with two missiles and killed its driver in the village of Yohmor, in the Nabatieh district, according to our correspondent. The driver succumbed to his wounds. His name was Ahmad Saleh. He is the brother of another man killed during the war. The Israeli army has not yet commented on this strike. Hezbollah acknowledged in a statement that he was one of its fighters. Funerals in Jibsheet Few other incidents have been reported. In the middle of the afternoon, an Israeli tank crossed the border. It advanced about a kilometer into Lebanese territory, in the area of Aitaroun/Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil district), before withdrawing, our correspondent reports. In the morning, an initial Israeli drone dropped a sound bomb near the village of Rmeish, in the same district, before another drone shelled the town of Dhaira in the Sour district, without causing any injuries. Hezbollah also held a large funeral for one of its leaders killed by Israel, Hassan Ahmad Sabra, in his native village of Jibsheet in southern Lebanon. Sabra was killed by an Israeli strike on the main road of the town of Kfour, near Nabatieh, on July 17.
