Suweida, Syria – July 2025
What was once a peaceful town in southern Syria has turned into a warzone. Over the past week, the city of Suweida has witnessed horrifying scenes of violence as long-standing tensions between Druze communities and Bedouin tribes exploded into chaos, leaving hundreds dead and civilians caught in the middle.
For Rima, a 45-year-old Druze woman, the horror unfolded just outside her door. “There were bodies everywhere,” she recalled in a phone interview. Afraid to reveal her real name, she described the unimaginable fear of waiting in silence as armed men went house to house, deciding who would live or die.
A Conflict Sparked by Abduction—and Fueled by Politics
The bloodshed reportedly began after a Druze merchant was abducted on the Damascus highway. The incident sparked immediate outrage, quickly escalating into full-blown sectarian violence. As unrest spread throughout the province, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa ordered security forces into Suweida to “restore order.”
But instead of restoring peace, residents say the arrival of government forces worsened the situation.
Allegations Against Government Troops
Eyewitnesses accuse government forces of not just targeting militants, but also looting, torching homes, and indiscriminately killing unarmed civilians. Nayef, another Druze resident and government employee, said he saw corpses lying in the streets for days.
“They raided wealthy-looking homes, looted them, and then set them on fire,” he said. “Then they opened fire on civilians without warning.” Social media videos support his claims, showing soldiers firing at kneeling residents in broad daylight.
The UN human rights office reported the killing of at least 13 civilians on Tuesday alone, with some being gunned down during a family gathering. Six men were allegedly executed near their homes.
Druze Community Targeted
Residents reported that many of the fighters were Islamist militants, labeling Druze residents as “infidels.” One woman described hearing armed men shouting religious slogans and threatening to kill everyone in her building. There are also disturbing videos circulating online showing Druze men being humiliated, including religious sheikhs having their symbolic moustaches forcibly shaved.
In total, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented at least 594 deaths since the violence began, including 154 Druze civilians and 3 Bedouins, many killed in summary executions.
International Attention and Israeli Involvement
The violence prompted Israeli airstrikes, reportedly aimed at protecting Druze communities near the border. This development further complicates the fragile security situation in the region and raises the stakes for regional actors.
Government’s Response and Public Distrust
In a national address, Interim President Sharaa promised justice and pledged to make the protection of the Druze population a top priority. He blamed “outlaw groups” for refusing dialogue and causing instability.
But for many like Rima, those promises ring hollow. “We thought the army was coming to protect us,” she said. “Instead, we were abandoned. They didn’t come to defend — they came to destroy.”
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