Escalation of Violence and Evacuation in Suwayda
The situation in the city of Suwayda has taken a dramatic turn as the Syrian government initiated the evacuation of Bedouin families from the region. This move comes after a week of intense clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Muslim clans, which have led to the deaths of hundreds and raised concerns about the stability of Syria’s postwar transition. The fragile ceasefire that had been in place appears to be holding, but the underlying tensions remain high.
The violence has not only resulted in significant loss of life but also in targeted attacks against the Druze community, followed by retaliatory strikes against the Bedouins. These conflicts have displaced thousands of people, with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reporting that over 128,571 individuals have been forced to leave their homes due to the ongoing hostilities.
Israeli Strikes and Regional Tensions
Amid the escalating conflict, Israel has launched dozens of air strikes on the Druze-majority province of Suwayda, targeting government forces that are perceived to have aligned with the Bedouins. This has further complicated the already volatile situation, adding another layer of regional tension.
Syrian state media reported that the government had coordinated with local officials in Suwayda to bring in buses to evacuate approximately 1,500 Bedouins from the city. The interim Interior Minister, Ahmad al-Dalati, stated that this initiative would allow displaced civilians to return to Suwayda, as the fighting has largely ceased and efforts for a comprehensive ceasefire continue.
“We have imposed a security cordon in the vicinity of Suwayda to keep it secure and to stop the fighting there,” Dalati said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability in the province. He added that this effort would help pave the way for reconciliation and long-term peace in the region.
Evacuation Process and Security Measures
Buses filled with Bedouin families were accompanied by Syrian Arab Red Crescent vehicles and ambulances. Some families left on trucks carrying their belongings, highlighting the urgency of the situation. However, the Syrian authorities did not provide detailed information about the evacuation process or how it fits into the broader agreement, especially following failed talks for a hostage swap deal on Saturday.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, part of the agreement requires Bedouin fighters to release Druze women they were holding captive and to leave the province. This condition is seen as a critical step toward resolving the conflict and restoring peace.
International Involvement and Calls for Accountability
US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, who has been involved in negotiations between multiple countries, emphasized the need for accountability from both sides involved in the hostilities. He called for an agreement that would allow Syria’s seven-month-old interim government to function effectively after over a decade of conflict.
“What’s happened is horrible. It’s unthinkable,” Barrack said in Beirut after meeting officials. “They (Syrian authorities) need to be held accountable, but they also need to be given responsibility” to restore order.
Withdrawal of Bedouin Fighters and Ongoing Challenges
Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from Suwayda city on Sunday and, along with others from different parts of the country, stood on the outskirts while security forces cordoned off the area. An aid convoy of some 32 Red Crescent vehicles entered the city, although a government delegation with another aid convoy was turned away.
After talks for a hostage swap fell through late on Sunday, the Observatory and activist groups in Suwayda reported hearing what they described as Israeli air strikes and helicopters over villages where skirmishes took place between the Bedouins and the Druze. However, the Israeli military claimed it was “not aware” of any overnight strikes in Syria.
Druze Community's Concerns and Political Dynamics
The Druze community in Syria has become increasingly uncertain about the new government. Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has tried to appeal to the Druze while criticizing factions loyal to spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who have been involved in the clashes. Al-Sharaa promised to hold perpetrators of targeted attacks and other violations accountable.
While the Druze community largely celebrated the downfall of the al-Assad family, which ended decades of tyrannical rule, many remain concerned about al-Sharaa’s potential Islamist leanings. Despite these concerns, a large number of Druze wanted to approach matters diplomatically.
However, Al-Hijri and his supporters have taken a more confrontational stance with al-Sharaa, unlike most other influential Druze figures. The numerous cases of attacks, including the killing of Druze civilians and the desecration of religious symbols, have made the Druze more skeptical of al-Sharaa and less optimistic about peaceful coexistence.
More than half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria, with the majority of the rest residing in Lebanon and Israel, including in the occupied Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981.