18.07.2025 10:52
Conflicts between Bedouin Arabs and Druze groups have flared up again in Syria's Suwayda province. Arab tribes from all over the country, vowing revenge, are arming themselves and moving towards Suwayda, with more than 50,000 people expected to arrive. Reports indicate that the tribes have taken control of eight villages west of Suwayda, while the Syrian army is heading to Suwayda to suppress the conflict.
The tension has once again reached its peak in Suwayda, which brought Israel and Syria to the brink of war. Since July 13, more than 600 people have lost their lives in clashes that are dragging towards a civil war.
In Suwayda, where a Druze-majority population resides, the tension escalated in the morning when local armed groups forcibly displaced numerous Bedouin Arab families, killing and injuring some, which turned into armed conflict by the evening.
8 VILLAGES CHANGED HANDS
Armed Bedouin Arab groups clashed with Druze groups and regained control of the villages of Mezraa, Tayra, Sama Hanidat, Sama, Eldor, Taara, Devriyye, and Karasa located in the west of Suwayda.
ISRAEL STRUCK THE VILLAGE CAPTURED BY BEDOUIN ARABS
Meanwhile, many drones belonging to Israel were conducting reconnaissance over Syrian airspace, while fighter jets carried out an airstrike on the village of Mezraa, which had come under the control of Bedouin Arabs, at 20:40 local time. Syrian security forces, which did not intervene in the clashes and had moved outside Suwayda the previous evening, are trying to prevent the escalation of conflicts by establishing new road checkpoints on the Daraa-Suwayda road. The Syrian state news agency SANA also reported in the evening that Israeli fighter jets had attacked the rural areas of Suwayda.
GENERAL MOBILIZATION DECLARED BY TRIBES
Sources from Al Hadath, which is based in Saudi Arabia and broadcasts in Arabic, reported that Syrian tribes have declared a general mobilization following the recent developments and actions against Bedouin groups. According to the news, more than 50,000 fighters from Eastern Syria, Aleppo, and its countryside are expected to arrive in Suwayda, where the Druze population is predominant.
THEY SPILLED ARABIC COFFEE AND TOOK AN OATH
In videos circulating on social media, tribal fighters are seen setting out to participate in the clashes in Suwayda. Meanwhile, in a statement made by the Bedouin Arab Council with their weapons, they declared, "We swear that we will not drink a single cup of Arabic coffee until all of Suwayda is liberated," pouring out the coffee from their pots.
TRIBES ENTERED SUWAYDA
Following these developments, the tribes took control of the western countryside of Suwayda and reached the entrance of the city. According to Al Jazeera's report, Arab tribes have entered the center of Suwayda.
ARMY TO REDEPLOY TO SUWAYDA
According to a statement from the spokesperson of the Syrian Ministry of Interior, Syrian security forces are preparing to redeploy to the city of Suwayda, where the majority of Druze live, to suppress the clashes between Druze and Bedouin tribes. This development occurred just a day after the security forces withdrew from the region.
CLASHES IN SUWAYDA AND ISRAEL'S ATTACKS
Minor clashes began on July 13 between Bedouin Arab tribes and Druze armed groups in Suwayda province in southern Syria. Dozens of soldiers were killed in attacks by Druze groups on the Syrian security forces deployed to the region. After the clashes between security forces and local armed Druze groups escalated, a ceasefire was established between the parties.
HUNDREDS HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES
As the ceasefire quickly broke down, the Israeli army carried out attacks targeting Syrian security forces. On July 16, Israeli air forces struck the Syrian presidential complex, the General Staff, and the Ministry of Defense.
On the same day in Suwayda, a ceasefire was re-established between the government and local groups, while Israeli fighter jets carried out attacks on Damascus and Daraa. It is estimated that hundreds of people have lost their lives in the clashes and Israeli attacks in Suwayda, where security forces have withdrawn.