Gunmen affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) based in Damascus, clash with local Druze forces in Suwayda
July witnessed some of Syria’s most intense violence since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, as armed Bedouin militants and Druze factions clashed across the countryside of the Druze-majority Suwayda region in southeastern Syria.
The situation deteriorated significantly after Damascus deployed forces to the area, as the arrival of government-aligned troops only escalated tensions, despite claims their presence was an effort to restore peace and security.
Though officially operating as the “Syrian Army,” the forces sent by Damascus in reality consisted of various militias with differing—and often conflicting—ideologies, including some radical Islamist elements. A significant number of these pro-government fighters reportedly participated in acts of violence targeting Suwayda’s Druze minority. Graphic footage emerged showing executions inside Suwayda City’s hospital, Druze men being forced to leap from balconies to their deaths, and widespread reports of forced shavings, kidnappings of women, and other abuses. Among those killed were Syrian American citizens from Oklahoma.
In response, Israel launched airstrikes against pro-Damascus forces and called for their immediate withdrawal. U.S.-led mediation eventually resulted in an agreement under which regime forces pulled out, allowing local Druze groups to retake control of most of Suwayda, including the provincial capital.
Druze civilians protest violence against them by government and tribal fighters, asking for protection from the international community
Following the collapse of the Assad regime, Druze self-defense forces—long present in the region—stepped in to govern and protect Suwayda. These forces remained in place while Druze community leaders entered negotiations with Damascus over the region’s future.
Like the Kurds, Syriacs, and other minority groups in North and East Syria, the Druze have consistently advocated for a decentralized, democratic Syria. Their leadership views decentralization as a path forward from decades of sectarianism—used as a political weapon by both the former regime and extremist jihadist groups.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria condemned the violence in Suwayda, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people. In an official statement, the Administration said the events underscore the urgent need for a Syrian political system in which all communities have the right to self-govern and defend themselves.
Despite these calls, Damascus continues to insist on a centralized model of governance, including control over defense and internal security. However, various Syrian communities—alongside international actors such as the United States, France, and others—have urged the government to commit to a political framework that guarantees the inclusion and rights of all segments of Syrian society.