Southern Syria is erupting into full-blown chaos as violent sectarian clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribal fighters spiral out of control in the province of Suwayda, triggering mass killings, foreign intervention, and a renewed threat of national collapse.
Both sides have committed atrocities. Druze gunmen, reportedly backed by Israeli intelligence, carried out what local activists are calling a massacre of Sunni Bedouins, killing over 100 people, including women and children, in targeted executions. Victims were allegedly thrown from rooftops, as government forces suddenly withdrew after Israeli threats.
In retaliation, tribal fighters called for nationwide mobilization, stormed into Suwayda, and captured Al-Thaala town and its military airport. Their advance on Suwayda city continues amid ongoing clashes and a complete communications blackout. Fighters reportedly also captured Mahmoud al-Hijri, son of top Druze cleric Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who has since called on the Syrian government to intervene.
Eyewitnesses say both Druze and Bedouin factions have taken civilians as hostages, torched property, and executed prisoners in tit-for-tat killings. The violence has quickly taken a sectarian tone, with Islamic symbols desecrated by Druze factions and retaliatory violence justified as defense of Islamic dignity by tribal commanders.
While Syria bleeds, Israel escalated the crisis, launching airstrikes deep into Damascus on Wednesday targeting the Ministry of Defence, military headquarters, and areas near the presidential palace. Warplanes and drones also hit Suwayda and southern towns already caught in the tribal conflict.
Israel claims it is acting out of regional security concerns, but the reality is more cynical. Southern Syria has long been a strategic obsession for Israel, and Druze groups have historic ties with the Israeli military, with many Druze serving in the IDF. This latest campaign has raised fresh accusations that Israel is manipulating sectarian fault lines to expand its reach.
The Syrian interim government condemned the airstrikes as
“a violation of sovereignty,”
but their response to internal bloodshed has been just as controversial. During the early days of unrest, Syrian troops reportedly assaulted Druze civilians, stepped on Druze flags, and then withdrew when things escalated. When questioned about their contradictory behavior, the Syrian president gave only a dismissive answer: “We’re a relatively new government.”
Two ceasefires; announced on Tuesday and Wednesday which quickly fell apart. Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri publicly disavowed the agreement. Convoys of Syrian troops have been seen leaving Suwayda, allowing both militias and foreign actors to fill the vacuum.
With both sides committing war crimes and Israel taking advantage of the chaos to bomb the capital, Syria’s fragile postwar recovery is unraveling. Once again, foreign agendas and sectarian violence have replaced law, order, and humanity.
