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Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Syria: Dozens killed in clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin groups
A wave of violence swept through Syria's southern Sweiyda province on Sunday, where armed clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin tribes killed more than 30 people and left over 100 injured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Monday that at least 37 people were killed, including 27 Druze and 10 Bedouins, after a Druze merchant was reportedly abducted on a highway to Damascus.. Local news outlets reported that the abduction sparked a cycle of retaliatory kidnappings, escalating into full-scale armed confrontations across Sweida city and nearby villages. Videos shared on X by Syrian journalists purported to show Druze fighters chanting anti-Sunni slogans while standing over the bodies of killed Syrian soldiers. Hours after the clashes erupted, a group led by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader who has been opposed to the new Syrian government, called for "international protection" and accused government forces of "supporting takfiri gangs" - a term used to describe extremist Sunni groups. Later, the Israeli military, which has repeatedly claimed it seeks to protect the Druze and other minority groups, said it had carried out strikes on military tanks in southern Syria. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The fighting marks the deadliest unrest since early May when more than 130 people were killed in two suburbs of the capital Damascus and Sweida province. Israel's aggression in Syria advances a century-long plan to co-opt the Druze Read More » In the wake of that fighting, the government reached an agreement with Druze militias to hire local security forces in Sweida province from their ranks. In a statement on Monday, Syria's Ministry of Interior expressed "deep concern" over the "bloody developments," attributing the escalation to the absence of strong state institutions. "The Ministry of Interior confirms that units of its forces, in coordination with the Ministry of Defence, will intervene directly in the region to resolve the conflict, stop clashes, impose security, prosecute those responsible for the events, and refer them to the competent judiciary," the ministry said. Meanwhile, Sweida's Governor Mustafa al-Bakour urged residents "to respond to national appeals for reform" and to avoid further violence. The Druze, a religious and ethnic minority primarily residing in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel make up approximately three percent of Syria's population, with the majority concentrated in Sweida Governorate. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, the Druze have emerged as a vocal force against the transitional government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, fearing marginalisation under its policies.
Shafaq News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
'Our arms are our dignity': Druze leaders reject Damascus disarmament order
Shafaq News/ Druze religious leaders in Syria's Suwayda province rejected government calls to disarm local fighters and insisted that all security appointments in the region be made exclusively from among its residents. In a joint statement issued Saturday, the leadership of the Druze community reaffirmed decisions made at a high-level meeting. The group emphasized its refusal to hand over weapons, declaring: 'Our arms are our dignity.' They also called for the full activation of the Ministry of Interior and the judicial police in Suwayda, but stressed that enforcement must remain under local control. 'The role of the judicial police is restricted to the sons of the province, in coordination with the three Sheikhs of Reason, the governor of Suwayda, and the Interior Ministry,' the statement read. The leaders denied rumors that the General Security Directorate would deploy forces from outside the province, stating such claims were 'baseless.' They urged the Druze community to show restraint and accuracy in public messaging, emphasizing unity and social responsibility. Earlier today, Suwayda Governor Mustafa al-Bakour echoed these sentiments, saying that security efforts were being led by the people of Suwayda in cooperation with religious authorities. 'Several of Suwayda's youths have joined the General Security to contribute to organizing internal security and activating the role of institutions,' he said in an interview with Syria Today TV. Al-Bakour emphasized that while the state seeks to regulate weapons possession—requiring licenses or official affiliation with security forces—he recognized the statement issued by Druze leaders as a legitimate expression of local consensus. 'The statement was agreed upon by all attendees,' he confirmed. The governor also dismissed any suggestions of foreign backing for the initiative, noting that the Druze clerics had explicitly rejected external interference and reiterated their loyalty to Syrian national unity. The developments follow several days of heightened tension in southern Syria. On Tuesday, violence erupted in the Druze-majority suburbs of Jaramana and Sahnaya, near Damascus, after an audio recording circulated allegedly featuring a Druze man making derogatory comments about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The incident sparked clashes between Druze fighters and General Security forces, which quickly spread to towns across Suwayda.
Shafaq News
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
No deal: Druze leader breaks with Syrian regime
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, a prominent Druze spiritual leader in Syria declared that no agreement exists with the government in Damascus, accusing the transitional administration of 'extremism' and 'terrorism.' Speaking publicly, Sheikh Bahjat Al-Hijri stated, 'We are at a defining moment and will act in the best interest of our community, moving toward what serves the Druze.' Addressing recent events in Syria's coastal region, he criticized Druze fighters from Sweida, saying, 'We regret that some from Sweida are selling the blood and dignity of their people on the coast.' His comments stirred controversy, particularly as Druze leaders and Damascus officials continue discussions on governance and security arrangements in southern Syria. Druze representatives met with Sweida Governor Mustafa al-Bakour on Wednesday and signed an agreement aimed at regulating administrative and security affairs in the province. The accord outlined government coordination with local leaders to resolve outstanding issues and ensure stability. The agreement also authorized security forces to enter Sweida and facilitated the reinstatement of state institutions under Druze's leadership. Sweida, a predominantly Druze province in southern Syria, had largely remained neutral throughout the civil war, as thousands of its young men refused to join the former regime's military draft.
Jordan News
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Syrian Government Reaches Agreement to Integrate Sweida into State Institutions - Jordan News
Syrian Government Reaches Agreement to Integrate Sweida into State Institutions Special sources have revealed to Al Jazeera that the Syrian government has reached an agreement with the people and leaders of Sweida to fully integrate the province, which is home to a Druze majority, into the state's institutions. اضافة اعلان The sources clarified that the agreement stipulates the inclusion of Sweida's security forces within the Syrian Ministry of Interior, and that local police officers should be residents of the province, located in the south of the country. The agreement also states that the Syrian government will appoint a governor and a police chief, though they do not necessarily have to be from Sweida. The Syrian News Agency reported that President Ahmed al-Shara met with the governor of Sweida, Dr. Mustafa al-Bakour, and several local activists at the People's Palace in Damascus. It was mentioned that the attendees discussed national and local issues, emphasizing the "importance of this historic phase in Syria's history, during which Syrians seek a country based on justice, law, and fair representation of all segments of the Syrian people, despite the difficult regional and international conditions and the schemes being plotted against Syria's unity, both land and people." Hekmat al-Hajri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, previously emphasized their commitment to the country's unity and their rejection of any division plans, stressing that their project is purely Syrian and patriotic. Al-Hajri stated, "The unity of Syria, both land and people," is a steadfast position, affirming that no ideas that go beyond this will be discussed. He added that they do not seek any form of separation or partition, but aim to preserve their roots. The Druze, whose main stronghold is in the Sweida province, constitute about 3% of Syria's population. Recent Israeli statements caused turmoil in Syria, after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier this month, "If the regime harms the Druze, we will hurt it," following limited clashes in the city of Jaramana, located in the Damascus suburbs, which is home to both Druze and Christian communities. Druze religious leaders and figures rejected the Israeli statements, reaffirming their commitment to Syria's unity. This was echoed by al-Shara, who called on the international community to pressure Israel for a "immediate" withdrawal from areas it has entered in southern Syria. (Al Jazeera Net)
