Intel Brief: Escalating clashes in Suwayda, Syria

laure7549
Jul 17
6 min read

Date: 17/07/2025 (15:00 CEST)

Where?

Suwayda, Damascus; Syria

What happened?

On 12/07/2025, tensions escalated into heavy fighting between armed Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militias in Syria's southern governorate of Suwayda, resulting in at least 30 victims the first day. The escalation was triggered by a series of abductions, including the kidnapping of a Druze vegetable truck driver, and the seizure of vehicles from both factions.
In the morning of 14/07/2025, the Syrian Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Ministry of Defense (MoD) dispersed its forces to help battle the clashes, however the convoy was attacked by Druze fighters resulting in more victims and a seized government vehicle. This prompted Damascus to make the decision to take control of Suwayda and attempt to disarm local militias. Syrian security forces reached Suwayda city by the afternoon, reporting intense clashes with Druze militias and the temporary capture of several villages in the Suwayda governorate during their advance.
On 14/07/2025, Israeli warplanes also reportedly dropped flares over Daraa and Suwayda province, likely to be interpreted as a warning for the MoD and MoI troops that were dispersed to Suwayda.
Early on 15/07/2025, the Druze spiritual leadership called for armed militias to surrender their weapons and cooperate with government authorities as they entered the city, which led to the announcement of a ‘ceasefire’ between the Syrian Security Forces and the Druze militias. However, around the same time as the ceasefire announcement influential Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who has been opposed to the new government in Damascus, released a video message saying that the minority's previous statement had been "imposed" on them by Damascus and to continue fighting.
On 15/07/2025, Israel launched strikes on Syrian Security Forces in and around Suwayda to support the Druze militias, enabling them to regain some ground. Consequently leading to the deployment of additional Syrian Security Forces to Suwayda.
On 15/07/2025, the US urged Israel to halt its attacks in Syria, but the appeal had no tangible effect. On 16/07/2025, Israeli Defense Minister Katz announced the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would continue to attack Syrian security forces, demanding the regime to withdraw its forces.
Since 15/07/2025, Druze civilians from Israel have been crossing the border into Syria near Majdal Shams. This movement, which significantly increased on 16/07/2025, aimed to support the Druze militias engaged in conflict with the Syrian Security Forces. The IDF then stated its efforts to prevent the crossings and facilitate the return of these civilians to Israel.
The IDF announced on 16/07/2025 that it had “struck and continues to strike tanks, rocket launchers, weapons, and pickup trucks loaded with heavy machine guns on their way to the As Suwayda area in southern Syria. Additionally, routes were struck in order to block access to the area.” This announcement was followed by the Israeli military striking the entrance gate of the Syrian Ministry of Defense headquarters in Damascus, resulting in three casualties, and areas near the presidential palace, as it continued to launch further strikes on Syrian forces in the Suwayda governate.
On 16/07/2025, reports of Pro Druze military council and anti Syrian government protests taking place in the Druze town of Jaramana in Damascus' countryside surfaced.
In the late afternoon on 16/06/2025, the Syrian Ministry of Interior announced a ceasefire had been reached in Suwayda. The agreement announced the withdrawal of the army to its barracks and the activation of internal security and checkpoints, together with the full integration of Suwayda within the state and its affirmation of sovereignty over the entire governorate.
While the internal security forces were being deployed, as part of the agreement, the MoD convoys were seen withdrawing from Suwayda. However, the Israeli military continued launching strikes on MoD convoys leaving Suwayda, whilst also targeting other locations in Syria like the Damascus Mezzeh airport (DAM/OSDI) and the 4th Division barracks in southern Damascus outskirts.
Protests erupted in several towns throughout Syria against the Israeli intervention and in support of the government on 16/07/2025.
On 17/07/2025, Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced in a televised statement that “protecting the Druze citizens and their rights is their priority.
In the early morning of 17/07/2025, our sources based in Syria reported temporary stability in both Suwayda and Damascus, with Druze factions having taken control of Suwayda after withdrawal of the Syrian Security Forces. However, unconfirmed reports speculate about the presence of Syrian Security Forces snipers backed by local tribes in several neighborhoods of Suwayda.
Following the announcement of the ceasefire, Al-Hijri renewed his call to continue the armed struggle on 17/07/2025, while also demanding the establishment of a corridor linking the Druze in Suwayda to their “Kurdish brothers” in the al-Jazeera region of northeastern Syria. His rejection of any agreement, further inflamed by Israeli involvement, has triggered an unprecedented situation, fueling growing resentment across Syria. This has led to calls for the isolation of Suwayda, trade boycotts, and the closure of key roads in Daraa province. Consequently, tensions with local tribal groups are steadily worsening.
At approximately 14:00 GMT+3 the same day, escalating tensions in Suwayda peaked as Bedouin tribes affiliated with the Arab Tribal Army mobilized in response to perceived threats from Druze groups. Concurrently, reports emerged of Bedouin families departing the city with personal belongings, suggesting an intention to leave for an extended period.
Not long after, at around 14:30 GMT+3, Daraa Bedouin tribes reportedly began artillery and rocket shelling Druze separatist positions in Suwayda.

Analysis

The intensifying conflict in Syria underscores the country's persistent instability and deep-rooted divisions. A central trigger of the recent escalation has been the frequent abductions, particularly targeting individuals from minority communities—a clear reflection of the ongoing sectarian violence across various regions.
This violence has prompted Kurdish calls for a decentralized system in recent months, an initiative rejected by the Al-Sharaa administration. Meanwhile, pro-Assad insurgents and other militias opposed to the current 'interim government' continue to carry out attacks and fuel clashes across multiple governorates. Efforts to integrate various armed groups, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the People’s Defense Units (YPG), into the official Syrian military framework are still ongoing.
On several occasions clashes have broken out between Syrian Security Forces and Druze fighters since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in early December. However, Israel's increasing involvement, with airstrikes supporting Druze militias and targeting Syrian forces during the most recent escalation, further complicates the situation in Syria. Although many Druze in Syria have expressed opposition to Israeli intervention on their behalf, there remains deep mistrust within the community towards the new authorities in Damascus.
In light of recent developments, fear is mounting among the Druze population regarding the potential consequences of Israel’s involvement. The broader Syrian populace, including non-jihadist groups, largely perceives cooperation with Israel as an act of betrayal. If Israel's recent airstrikes are isolated events and lack a clear, long-term commitment to Druze protection, the Druze population might fear reprisal attacks.
These concerns are amplified by recent sectarian killings of Alawites, leading to fears of similar violence against those labeled "Druze traitors." It remains to be seen whether President Al-Sharaa’s stated promise to safeguard Druze citizens reflects a genuine effort to honor the ceasefire agreement and uphold Druze autonomy, or merely a calculated move to consolidate power amid mounting internal and external challenges.
Moreover, the escalating conflict in Syria not only signals a national destabilization, it also marks a significant escalation in the growing dispute between Israel and Syria. Israel's actions in Syria, while publicly framed as protecting Druze communities, are fundamentally driven by a long-term strategy to shape a post-Assad Syria that aligns with Israeli security and strategic interests. What the exact strategy is remains unclear to the public: it could be focussed towards building alliances with minority groups, such as the Druze, to establish buffer zones and diminish the Syrian regime's influence in the south. Another explanation for Israel’s actions could be a classic ‘divide and conquer’-strategy.
Since the Assad regime's collapse, Israel has actively pursued the demilitarization of southern Syrian governorates near the Golan Heights, aiming to restrict hostile forces from projecting power close to its borders. By targeting Syrian government convoys near Suwayda and bombing two important government buildings, Israel sent the clear message that it will do what it takes to enforce limitations on military presence in this strategically sensitive area to contain Damascus’s influence near the Golan.
It further also reflects Israel's broader strategic aim to assert control over parts of Syria and perpetuate instability. Rather than engaging in formal security arrangements with Syria, Israel has repeatedly resorted to airstrikes throughout the year, signaling a preference for maintaining a fragmented and weakened Syrian state. Its recent efforts to exploit Syria’s instability suggest that this latest episode is unlikely to be the last, ultimately undermining the new Syrian government’s attempts to restore national unity and casting uncertainty over the country’s future.

Conclusion

The recent clashes in Syria highlight the nation's persistent instability and growing divisions. The al-Sharaa government's capacity to pursue a centralised Syria remains uncertain. Triggered by sectarian violence and abductions, the clashes between Bedouin fighters and Druze escalated with the direct intervention from both Syrian Security Forces and Israel. Israel's external interference, coupled with internal dissent, continues to undermine attempts at national unity and casts significant uncertainty over Syria's future. Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, continued violence and mixed signals from Druze leadership indicate that the truce may be fragile and short-lived.