Syria
Bedouin and tribal fighters deploy at the western entrance of Druze-majority Suwayda province in southern Syria amid clashes with local Druze fighters on July 18, 2025. Photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Clashes and sporadic skirmishes broke out across Syria’s southern Suwayda province on Tuesday, signaling renewed ceasefire violations in the Druze-majority region, a prominent war monitor reported.
Druze fighters and forces affiliated with the interim government engaged in gunfire using machine guns on multiple fronts west and northwest of Suwayda city, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said, adding that “no casualties have been reported.”
Moreover, a drone strike reportedly targeted an ammunition depot near the Druze fighters’ positions west of the city.
Separately, Suwayda24, a local outlet that focuses on the Druze-majority province, reported that clashes had erupted on Monday along Suwayda city’s western axis after pro-government security forces reportedly opened fire on a civilian from the al-Hmaydan tribe working his land alongside other farmers.
"The incident caused material damage to their transport bus and sparked an exchange of heavy gunfire between the two sides," said the outlet.
Late last month, a passenger coach on the Damascus-Suwayda road was fired upon “by unidentified gunmen,” leading to several casualties.
The violence underscores continued tensions in Suwayda, where rival armed factions continue to defy local ceasefire efforts despite repeated calls for restraint.
Clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes erupted in the southern Syria province in mid-July, escalating with the involvement of Damascus forces and Israel before a ceasefire was announced on July 19.
Since then, Syrian security forces have been deployed across the province, while Druze factions remain in control of Suwayda city.
UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen in late July reported that despite the ceasefire, numerous violations have been recorded. He warned that the situation in the Druze majority province remains “tense and volatile.”
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment