Sectarian Clashes Kill 16 Syrian Forces, Over 30 Dead Sweida

Sectarian violence between Druze militiamen and Bedouin tribal fighters has escalated in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 members of Syria's security forces and over 30 civilians. Syrian government troops were deployed to restore order amid the clashes, which are the first to erupt inside Sweida city after months of tension in the province. The Syrian Defence Ministry reported attacks by unidentified "outlawed groups" on military units, with ongoing hostilities despite security forces' efforts to quell the violence. Concurrently, Israel struck Syrian tanks in Sweida, warning the Syrian regime and declaring its intent to protect the Druze community, as it opposes Syrian military deployment south of Damascus. Some Druze leaders accused the Syrian government of attacking their people rather than protecting them, highlighting deep mistrust amid the new Islamist-led government's control efforts. The violence is rooted in broader regional conflicts and stalled integration of minority militias into the Syrian military, compounded by Israel's demand for a demilitarized zone in southern Syria.