logo
Syria's Al Shara says Sweida violence marked 'dangerous turning point'

Syria's Al Shara says Sweida violence marked 'dangerous turning point'

The National19-07-2025
Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara on Saturday said the violent clashes in the Druze heartland of Sweida over the past week constituted a "dangerous turning point" that was worsened by Israeli intervention.
In his first address since a ceasefire was announced in Sweida earlier in the day, Mr Al Shara said the violent clashes were "about to spiral out of control" had it not been for the intervention of Syrian forces.
Sectarian clashes left more than 700 people dead in the Druze-majority province of Sweida in about a week of violence which began with clashes between Bedouin fighters and Druze factions, before government forces became embroiled in the fighting.
"The recent events witnessed in Sweida have marked a dangerous turning point," the Syrian leader said as his seven-month rule witnessed several waves of bloody sectarian clashes.
On Wednesday, Israel launched a series of attacks against Syria, including striking the Ministry of Defence and the presidential palace, in what it claimed was an effort to protect the Druze community. But diplomats and analysts said its goal is to weaken the new Syrian authorities
'The Israeli intervention has renewed tensions and pushed the country into a dangerous phase that threatens its stability as a result of the blatant bombing of the south and government institutions in Damascus,' Mr Al Shara said, shortly after his office announced an "immediate ceasefire" in the southern province.
The Israeli military said on Saturday that dozens of Israeli citizens crossed the border with Syria into Majdal Shams, a Druze village in the occupied Golan Heights. It said the Israeli citizens used violence against Israeli forces trying to disperse a gathering in the area overnight.
US envoy to Damascus, Tom Barrack, early on Saturday announced a ceasefire between Israel and Syria. He also called on the Druze and Bedouin factions to put their weapons down.
Mr Al Shara thanked the US for its support and for "affirming its stance alongside Syria in these difficult circumstances".
He also vowed to protect minorities in the country. "The Syrian state is committed to protecting all minorities and communities in the country... We condemn all crimes committed" in Sweida, he said.
While the Syrian government announced an end to its military offensive in Sweida on Wednesday, sectarian violence erupted again on Friday as Bedouin clashed with Druze militia in the south-western region.
The country's interior ministry spokesperson said earlier on Saturday that internal security forces had begun deploying in Sweida.
Bloody week
The fighting, which began on Sunday as tit-for-tat attacks between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze militias, two long-standing rivals, quickly escalated into violence.
Government forces intervened to quell the clashes, but were accused of committing widespread abuses against the Druze. Israel also joined the fray, launching attacks on government forces, saying it was acting to protect the Druze.
Mr Al Shara said the recent withdrawal of government forces from Sweida led to "retaliatory attacks" against Sunni Bedouin tribes.
Inside Sweida, residents said a precarious calm had held throughout the day, despite fighting raging on the outskirts of the city and fears it could spread.
Many described harrowing scenes as they ventured back into the streets after days of confinement amid indiscriminate shelling, with bodies in the streets, burnt-out cars and looted homes.
The UN's migration agency said on Friday that nearly 80,000 people have been displaced by sectarian violence.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UN aid chief demands evidence after Israel accuses staff of links to Hamas: Report
UN aid chief demands evidence after Israel accuses staff of links to Hamas: Report

Middle East Eye

time40 minutes ago

  • Middle East Eye

UN aid chief demands evidence after Israel accuses staff of links to Hamas: Report

United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher has demanded that Israel provide evidence for its accusations that staff with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) have links to Hamas, the Reuters news agency reported on Friday, citing a letter it had reviewed. Hamas, as the governing party in Gaza, is responsible for all administrative and bureaucratic tasks in the Strip. Earlier this week Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon declared that Fletcher and Ocha were no longer neutral and that hundreds of Ocha employees would undergo security vetting. Israel would also restrict Ocha visas to one month, he said. Danon did not provide any evidence to back up his statements. Fletcher sent his letter to the Security Council on Thursday, Reuters said. "I expect the Israeli authorities to immediately share any evidence that led them to make such claims to the council," Fletcher reportedly wrote.

US forces kill ISIS leader in Syria raid
US forces kill ISIS leader in Syria raid

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

US forces kill ISIS leader in Syria raid

American forces killed an ISIS leader in a raid in Syria's Aleppo province on Friday, the US military's Central Command said. The raid resulted 'in the death of senior ISIS leader Dhiya Zawba Muslih Al Hardani, and his two adult ISIS-affiliated sons', Centcom said in a statement. 'These ISIS individuals posed a threat to US and Coalition Forces, as well as the new Syrian government,' it said. Three women and three children at the raid location were unharmed in the operation, Centcom added. ISIS rose out of the chaos of the Syrian civil war to seize swathes of territory there and in neighbouring Iraq more than a decade ago. The US has been engaged in military operations against the group since 2014, as part of a broader international coalition aimed at dismantling its territorial control and leadership. While ISIS no longer holds significant territory, the group continues to operate sleeper cells and carry out attacks, particularly in eastern Syria. US forces, working alongside local Kurdish-led partners, maintain a presence in Syria to prevent the group's resurgence and to target its remaining leadership. 'ISIS terrorists are not safe where they sleep, where they operate and where they hide,' said Gen Michael Kurilla, US Centcom Commander. 'Alongside our partners and allies, US Central Command is committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS terrorists that threaten the region, our allies and our homeland,' he added. President Trump signed an executive order in late June lifting the bulk of US sanctions on Syria. This rolled back decades of restrictions and offered economic relief to Damascus's new government, which overthrew longtime ruler Bashar Al Assad.

Paris to host Syria talks on integrating Kurds
Paris to host Syria talks on integrating Kurds

The National

time5 hours ago

  • The National

Paris to host Syria talks on integrating Kurds

Syria, France and the US said they agreed on Friday to convene "as soon as possible" talks in Paris to integrate the autonomous Kurdish administration into the Syrian state. The Kurds, who control large swathes of north-east Syria, are negotiating with the central government in Damascus on the integration of their civil and military institutions into the state. Those include the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The three countries agreed to 'host as soon as possible the next round of consultations in Paris between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces regarding the full implementation of the March 10 agreement ', according to a joint statement. The statement was issued after a Friday meeting in Paris between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani. In March, Syria 's government reached a deal with the SDF to integrate the group into state institutions. The deal was signed between Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara and the head of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi. Damascus had previously accused the SDF of delays in implementing a March deal to integrate into the country's armed forces, warning that inaction would undermine stability. Several rounds of talks have been held but the process has stalled, with Kurdish officials criticising a constitutional declaration announced by the new authorities, saying it failed to reflect Syria's diversity. A meeting was set to take place in Paris on Thursday between Kurdish representatives and a Syrian government delegation, but it was postponed. Mr Barrot held a phone call on Friday with the Mr Abdi, Paris said, to "confirm the upcoming negotiations session". Damascus insists on reunifying the country at any cost and demands that the Kurds hand over their weapons. But this week, the SDF said it is 'impossible' to lay down their arms amid a flurry of sectarian violence in the country. An outbreak of fierce fighting in the south of Syria, with troops sent to quell unrest involving Bedouin tribes and the Druze minority, has cast further doubt on Mr Al Shara's efforts to hold Syria together. And under pressure from Washington, Syria has mounted raids against members of ISIS as the extremist group threatens to stage a resurgence. 'In light of the continuing tensions in Syria, the escalating violence, and the threat of ISIS, it is impossible for our forces to surrender their weapons,' Kurdish media quoted SDF spokesman Abjar Daoud as saying.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store