Tensions Rise in Sweida as U.S. Confirms Truce Between Israel and Syria

A top U.S. diplomat says Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire after deadly clashes in southern Syria sparked international concern. The fighting, which has left nearly 80,000 people displaced, began as a local conflict between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes—but quickly spiraled out of control, drawing in both the Syrian government and the Israeli military.

The situation is still tense, with fresh violence reported even after the truce was announced.

What Triggered the Violence?

Clashes broke out last Sunday in Syria’s Sweida province between local Druze fighters and Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes. Government troops stepped in but reportedly sided with the Bedouins, leading to accusations of bias and abuse.

In response, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Syrian forces, saying it was defending the Druze minority—many of whom live in Israel and serve in its military. Israeli strikes even hit Syria’s Defense Ministry in Damascus, a bold move that escalated the crisis.

A Ceasefire—But Fighting Continues

On Wednesday, the Syrian government agreed to pull its forces out of Sweida under a ceasefire mediated by the U.S., Turkey, and Arab nations. Druze leaders were left in charge of local security.

But by Thursday night, fighting between Druze and Bedouin groups had resumed. Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, said Friday that a special government force would be sent back in to stop the clashes and restore order. The move came after talks between officials and Druze leaders, but the timing of the deployment remains unclear.

Humanitarian Crisis Grows

The conflict has caused a massive wave of displacement. The U.N. says nearly 80,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in just a week. Entire neighborhoods are without electricity or running water, and many roads are too dangerous to use.

“Health services are overwhelmed, and getting aid to Sweida is almost impossible right now,” said Adam Abdelmoula, the U.N.’s top humanitarian coordinator in Syria. While some trauma care supplies have reached nearby Daraa province, Sweida remains cut off.

To make matters worse, gunmen recently kidnapped a local head of the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, as he was heading out to help evacuate a U.N. team.

More Fighters Join the Fray

The violence is now spreading beyond Sweida. Bedouin supporters from other parts of Syria have traveled to the province to join the clashes. In one case, a fighter from Deir ez-Zor province said they came to support what he called “the oppressed.”

Meanwhile, revenge attacks from Druze militias have pushed more families to flee, especially from Bedouin communities. Local officials warn the crisis is deepening by the day.

Old Tensions, New Crisis

Druze and Bedouin groups have a long and uneasy history in Sweida. The Druze are a religious minority that split from Shiite Islam over 1,000 years ago. Today, about half of the world’s Druze live in Syria, mostly in the south. Bedouins, who are Sunni Muslims, also live in the area and have clashed with Druze in the past over local disputes.

This latest round of violence reportedly began when a Bedouin group attacked a Druze man at a checkpoint—triggering a chain of revenge kidnappings and attacks.

Syrian researcher Ahmed Aba Zeid says there’s often no clear reason for these tensions. “The government used the latest incident to shift the balance in Sweida,” he said. “But it only made things worse.”

Calls for Calm and Unity

While Israeli Druze urged military support for their Syrian counterparts, Druze leaders in Lebanon rejected Israeli involvement. Sheikh Sami Abi al-Muna, the top Druze spiritual leader in Lebanon, warned that Israeli intervention “harms our history and identity.”

He and veteran Lebanese Druze politician Walid Joumblatt are urging all sides to respect the ceasefire and open a national dialogue.

Joumblatt has also called for an independent investigation into reported abuses by both Druze and Bedouin groups during the clashes.

What’s Next?

With the ceasefire hanging by a thread and fresh violence flaring up, it’s unclear whether peace will hold. Humanitarian needs are growing fast, but access remains blocked. International mediators are urging all sides to stop fighting and work together to avoid a deeper crisis.

The world is watching closely as Syria’s fragile truce faces its toughest test yet.

Source: AP News – US envoy says Syria and Israel agree to ceasefire as Druze minority and Bedouin clans clash in Syria

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In a strategic move to bolster security, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday afternoon that it has taken control of the Syrian side of Mount Hermon. The operation aims to expand a demilitarized buffer zone along the Israel-Syria border and reinforce key defense positions.

Strategic Importance of Mount Hermon

The Hermon mountain range is widely regarded as a critical strategic asset. Its high elevation offers a commanding vantage point over the region, allowing Israel to monitor and preempt potential threats from invading forces.

The IDF clarified its stance on Syria’s internal affairs, stating that it would not intervene unless developments directly threaten Israeli security interests.

Targeting Syria’s Chemical Weapons Facility

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, the IDF conducted an airstrike on a chemical weapons facility reportedly controlled by the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The strike, initially reported by Arab media and later confirmed by The Jerusalem Post, was carried out to prevent Syrian rebels from seizing the facility.

An IDF spokesperson emphasized Israel’s proactive approach to neutralizing potential threats:
“The military monitors developments that could endanger Israeli security and takes the necessary steps to eliminate such dangers,” the statement said.

Israel’s Longstanding Strategy in Syria

For over a decade, Israel has maintained a policy of avoiding direct involvement in Syria’s internal conflict while taking decisive action to address security threats, particularly regarding advanced weapons. The IDF has conducted thousands of airstrikes in Syria since the civil war erupted, although it has publicly acknowledged only a small fraction of these operations.

Israel’s actions reflect a dual commitment: avoiding unnecessary escalation while ensuring that its borders remain secure and advanced weaponry does not fall into hostile hands.

This latest operation underscores the ongoing volatility in the region and the strategic measures Israel continues to adopt in safeguarding its security.

Source

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Israel has issued a stark warning to Syria, saying it will face “direct consequences” if it helps Hezbollah rearm with weapons, particularly through Syrian territory. This comes after a series of Israeli airstrikes aimed at disrupting Hezbollah’s smuggling routes and preventing the transfer of Iranian weapons to the Lebanese terror group.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have made it clear that even during the ongoing ceasefire with Hezbollah, they will continue to target any efforts to supply weapons to the group. “If we detect attempts to transfer weapons to Hezbollah, we will act,” IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated.

In a briefing, a senior Israeli military official warned that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime would bear the consequences if it aids Hezbollah’s rearmament. “Syria will pay direct prices for assisting Hezbollah,” the official said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also emphasized that Assad is “playing with fire” by enabling Iranian weapons shipments to Hezbollah.

Ahead of the ceasefire on Wednesday, the IDF targeted three border crossings between Lebanon and Syria used for smuggling weapons into Hezbollah. These strikes were intended to delay Hezbollah’s smuggling operations, making it easier for Israel to monitor weapon transfers.

In addition, Israeli fighter jets destroyed a major underground missile manufacturing site in Lebanon, located near the Syrian border. The facility, used by Hezbollah to produce precision-guided missiles with Iranian support, had been hidden underground for years. The IDF said the facility’s destruction dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah’s missile capabilities.

The IDF has also targeted Hezbollah’s weapons smuggling unit, Unit 4400, which has been involved in transporting weapons from Iran to Hezbollah via Syria and Lebanon. Israel has been taking action against this unit since 2013, gradually intensifying its efforts to prevent Hezbollah from acquiring more weapons.

While Hezbollah still retains a significant stockpile of rockets and drones, Israel’s ongoing strikes aim to prevent the group from rebuilding its arsenal. Israel views this as a central issue, as any future rearmament of Hezbollah could potentially lead to further conflict.

The IDF’s ongoing operations highlight Israel’s commitment to disrupting Hezbollah’s weapons supply chain, especially as the group continues to receive support from Iran.

Source

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