Fierce fighting between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin tribes in southern Syria’s Sweida province has left dozens dead, as Israeli forces confirmed striking military tanks in the region on Monday. The escalating violence, triggered by a cycle of kidnappings and retaliatory attacks, has drawn regional and international concern.
Syria’s Interior Ministry said more than 30 people have been killed and nearly 100 injured.
However, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights SOHR reported at least 89 fatalities, including women, children, and 14 members of the security forces.
What began as a localised dispute turned into heavy fighting when a Druze vegetable vendor was allegedly robbed by Bedouin tribesmen at a makeshift checkpoint.
The incident sparked tit-for-tat kidnappings and later drew in government forces.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba said troops had entered Sweida at dawn to restore order.
“Some clashes occurred with outlawed armed groups, but our forces are doing their best to prevent any civilian casualties,” he said.
The government’s involvement has drawn criticism from Druze leaders, including Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, who accused Damascus of supporting “takfiri gangs,” a term often used to describe Sunni extremists. His group called for international protection and condemned the government’s failure to prevent the violence.
The situation has prompted the deployment of both the Syrian army and internal security forces to the area. The Interior Ministry described the crisis as “a dangerous escalation,” blaming the absence of local institutions for the deteriorating security.
In response to the chaos, Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian tanks operating in the area. While Israel did not provide full details of the targets, the move is consistent with its longstanding policy of defending the Druze minority, which it views as loyal and often integrated within Israeli society.
Earlier this year, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, issued warnings against the deployment of pro-government forces near Druze communities south of Damascus. In May, an Israeli airstrike near the Syrian presidential palace was seen as a direct message to interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa following earlier clashes involving Druze fighters.
The United Nations has also weighed in, with Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi expressing “deep concern” over the violence.
“There must be immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm, and prevent further incitement,” Rochdi said, calling for meaningful dialogue and inclusion to avoid further fragmentation.
Sweida, a largely Druze province, has largely stayed on the sidelines of Syria’s 13-year civil war. But tensions have been mounting in recent years, especially after the collapse of the Assad regime and the rise of new authorities in Damascus, whom many Druze regard with suspicion.
While some Druze factions oppose Israeli intervention, others remain distrustful of the Syrian government’s ability to protect minority communities. The latest violence has only deepened those divisions.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry urged all nations to “respect the authority of the Syrian Arab Republic” and refrain from supporting any separatist groups. In a statement, it called on citizens to disarm and “thwart those seeking to dismantle the Syrian social fabric.”
With the region already destabilised by years of civil war, the Sweida clashes mark one of the deadliest flare-ups between local militias in recent years and a potentially dangerous new front in Syria’s fragmented conflict.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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