Over 30 Killed, 100 Injured in Druze-Bedouin Clashes in Southern Syria

Clashes in southern Syria’s Sweida province between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin tribes have resulted in at least 30 deaths and nearly 100 injuries, marking one of the deadliest sectarian flare-ups since the overthrow of President Bashar Assad by Sunni Islamist rebels in late 2024. The violence, which erupted following a series of kidnappings including that of a Druze merchant, has escalated into intense fighting in Sweida city’s Maqwas neighborhood and surrounding villages. Syrian authorities have described the situation as a dangerous escalation and deployed military and interior ministry forces to restore order amid local communities' inability to contain the unrest. The Druze, a minority religious group previously loyal to Assad’s regime, now face vulnerability and alienation under the new Sunni-led government, heightening sectarian tensions. Appeals for calm have come from local officials and Druze religious leaders as fears grow of further violence. This conflict underscores the ongoing instability and sectarian divisions in Syria following the regime’s fall and the challenges faced by the transitional government in asserting control over diverse factions.