940 Killed in Southern Syria Conflict in Suweida Province

Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with the Syrian government following a week of bloody conflict in Suweida province in southern Syria, which has claimed the lives of 940 people, including women and children. The announcement was made by US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, on Friday, with the Syrian government also confirming the start of the ceasefire.

The conflict in Suweida began on July 13 between Druze and Bedouin communities. Syrian forces intervened to quell the violence but ended up clashing with Druze fighters. On July 16, Israel launched airstrikes in Damascus, claiming to protect the Druze community. Following a ceasefire agreement, Syrian forces withdrew from Suweida.

In a post on X on Friday, Tom Barrack confirmed the ceasefire between Israel and Syria, supported by Turkey, Jordan, and other neighboring countries. He stated, “We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to lay down their arms and, together with other minorities, build a new and united Syrian identity.”

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirmed an “immediate ceasefire,” emphasizing the need for unity. “This moment requires unity and full cooperation to overcome what we are all going through,” he said. On Thursday, he accused Israel of attempting to destabilize Syria.

The Druze, a small religious minority in Syria, Israel, and Lebanon, faced widespread violence, prompting Israel’s intervention. On July 16, Israel conducted heavy strikes on Syria’s defense ministry and near the presidential palace in Damascus. Israeli forces continued attacks in Suweida on Friday morning. Although Israel permitted limited Syrian troop deployment in Suweida for 48 hours on Friday to stabilize the region, the Syrian government later announced plans to redeploy forces to prevent further clashes.

According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), 940 people have been killed since Syrian forces entered Suweida on July 16, including 326 Druze fighters, 262 Druze civilians, 312 Syrian soldiers, and 21 Bedouin tribe members. Over 500 others have been injured, per Syrian government reports.

Despite the ceasefire, Reuters reported thousands of Bedouin fighters entering Suweida on Friday, raising fears of renewed conflict. Locals reported scarce food, water, and electricity, with communication networks nearly collapsed.

Mudar, a 28-year-old Suweida resident, told Reuters, “For four days, we’ve had no electricity, fuel, food, or water. The conflict hasn’t fully stopped, and we’re barely getting any news due to the lack of internet and telecommunications.” Local outlet Suweida 24 reported ongoing clashes in northern and western Suweida.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called for accountability, stating there are credible reports of widespread human rights violations, including summary executions, in Suweida. Perpetrators include Syrian security forces, Druze, and Bedouin fighters.

The conflict follows the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, led by Islamist rebels under Ahmed al-Sharaa, who now heads Syria’s interim government. While the US has grown closer to the new government, Israel has labeled al-Sharaa a “jihadist” and intensified attacks on Syria since Assad’s ousting.