The Druze-Bedouin conflict in Syria continues despite the ceasefire! The entire country is under threat.

20.07.2025 12:00

Despite the "urgent ceasefire" announced by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and international mediation, clashes between Druze and Bedouin tribes continue in the Suwayda province in southern Syria. It is stated that these conflicts could "spill over" to other minority and sectarian groups in the country.

The Syrian security forces, while stationed in Suwayda to end the clashes, Shara declared an "urgent ceasefire" yesterday. The agreement, which includes the cessation of Israeli military attacks, was approved by Israel as part of a deal mediated by the U.S., conditional on the protection of Druze citizens.

CLASHES CONTINUE IN SOME AREAS

However, despite the declared "urgent ceasefire," clashes continue in the south of the country. It was reported that the Druze expelled armed individuals affiliated with Bedouin tribes from the city of Suwayda yesterday, but clashes continued in other regions of the province.

The Syrian Interior Ministry announced yesterday that "the clashes in Suwayda were halted following the intervention of the forces in the city." SOHR also reported that "armed groups affiliated with the tribes withdrew from the city of Suwayda last night after the Druze launched a large-scale attack." However, reports in Western media indicated that clashes continued in other regions of Suwayda province.

ARMY ESTABLISHED CHECKPOINTS TO PREVENT ENTRIES INTO SUWAYDA

As Syrian government forces began to establish checkpoints to prevent more people from joining the clashes, gunfire was reported in Suwayda early yesterday. Reports in Western media suggested that this conflict between the Druze and Bedouin tribes could "spill over" to other minority and sectarian groups in the country.

BARRACK CALLS ON PARTIES TO LAY DOWN ARMS

Tom Barrack, the U.S. Special Representative for Syria and Ambassador to Ankara, called on the parties in Syria, stating, "All parties must immediately lay down their arms, end hostilities, and abandon tribal (inter) revenge cycles."

Barrack shared a post regarding the situation in Syria on his X social media account. He noted that the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to lift sanctions on Syria was a principled step that offers the people of the country a chance to move beyond the unimaginable pain and suffering they have endured for years. He expressed, "The international community has largely united behind the newly established Syrian government and is cautiously optimistic about the government's efforts to transition from a painful legacy to a hopeful future."

Barrack pointed out that the brutal actions among the fighting parties on the ground have weakened the government's authority and disrupted order, stating that these have left the government's fragile targets overshadowed by a significant shock.

Calling on all parties, Barrack said, "All parties must immediately lay down their arms, end hostilities, and abandon tribal (inter) revenge cycles. Syria is at a very critical juncture where peace and dialogue must prevail, and this must be achieved now."

RUBIO: EVERYONE RESPONSIBLE FOR OPPRESSION MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a post on his official social media account yesterday that there should be an end to "rape and massacre against innocent people" in Syria, and he noted:

"If the authorities in Damascus want to maintain the chance of reaching a united, inclusive, and peaceful Syria free from ISIS and Iranian control, they must use security forces to help end this catastrophe by preventing ISIS and other violent jihadists from entering the region and committing massacres, and they must hold accountable and bring to justice everyone guilty of oppression, including those within their ranks."

Israel announced earlier this week that it had intervened in support of the Druze and had struck government forces and the Ministry of Defense in the capital, Damascus.

CEASEFIRE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND SYRIA

The ceasefire established between Israel and Syria on Friday, July 18, was announced the same day by Tom Barrack, the U.S. Special Representative for Syria and Ambassador to Ankara. Barrack stated, "We call on the Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to lay down their arms and build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with their neighbors along with other minorities." He emphasized that Turkey and Jordan also supported the agreement. Barrack later stated that they had agreed on practical steps to support Syria in the implementation of the agreement during a meeting in Amman with senior diplomats from Syria and Jordan.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also stated yesterday that he "did not trust" Shara's renewed commitment to protect minorities and all Syrians. Sa'ar noted in a post on his social media account that being a minority in Syria is "very dangerous" and "this has been proven repeatedly in the last six months."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also promised to prevent harm to the Druze in Syria due to the ties with those living in Israel.

SHARA: WE ARE DETERMINED TO PROTECT EVERYONE

Shara stated in remarks yesterday morning that his government is "determined to protect all minorities and sects in the country and continues to hold accountable all violators, regardless of which side they are on," and added, "No one will escape accountability."

UN: ARBITRARY KILLINGS ARE OCCURRING

United Nations (UN) Human Rights Chief Volker Türk reported earlier this week that his Office has received "reliable reports indicating widespread violations and abuses during the clashes, including extrajudicial executions and arbitrary killings" in Suwayda.

Turk stated, "Among the perpetrators, there are members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim government, as well as local Druze and Bedouin armed groups." Warning that "this bloodshed and violence must stop," Turk said, "those responsible must be held accountable."