SUWAYDA, SYRIA — Syrian government forces have seized full control of Suwayda after a week of brutal clashes with tribal Bedouin fighters that left more than 1,000 people dead and parts of the city in ruins. The fighting, which erupted amid deepening sectarian rifts and accusations of government inaction, has triggered a humanitarian crisis in one of Syria’s historically autonomous Druze regions.
The operation, ordered by President Ahmed al‑Sharaa, came after days of bloody urban warfare between armed Bedouin factions, local Druze militias, and Syrian army units. The Ministry of Defense declared the city “fully cleared of hostile elements” on Sunday, as armored vehicles and security forces took control of strategic districts that had been besieged.
Residents reported scenes of devastation across the province. Sniper fire and indiscriminate shelling have left entire residential blocks flattened. Electricity remains cut in several neighborhoods, and emergency medical services are barely functioning. Some areas have reportedly resorted to burying the dead in mass graves due to the overwhelming death toll and inaccessibility of morgues.
The Syrian Red Crescent has struggled to enter the city with humanitarian aid, citing ongoing roadblocks and landmines. Hospitals, already strained from years of war, were among the first targets in the fighting. Makeshift clinics set up in mosques are treating the wounded with dwindling supplies and untrained volunteers.
Tensions were further stoked by reported Israeli airstrikes during the clashes. Tel Aviv claimed the strikes were aimed at protecting the Druze community, though Syrian officials accused Israel of escalating the conflict. Meanwhile, the US facilitated a behind-the-scenes ceasefire deal, convincing both Israel and Syria to pause hostilities and redeploy forces away from sensitive zones.
Local Druze clerics have accused the government of using tribal militias to provoke unrest and weaken their semi-autonomous influence. “This wasn’t just a fight, it was an attempt to erase our resistance,” said one community elder.
While fighting has subsided under the ceasefire, residents and analysts alike warn that the calm may not last. With trust in Damascus deeply fractured and external players like Israel complicating internal conflicts, the possibility of future escalations remains real.
According to Al Jazeera, the Syrian government officially declared Suwayda clear of tribal fighters following the coordinated military operation. The outlet reported that military reinforcements had taken control of critical infrastructure and surrounding highways.
As Reuters noted in its coverage, the situation remains volatile despite the ceasefire, with thousands displaced and essential services still unavailable. The agency also confirmed that Israeli airstrikes took place during the fighting, intensifying the pressure on both factions to seek mediation.
Associated Press reported that the Bedouin fighters have begun withdrawing from several parts of Suwayda following US-brokered negotiations. Their coverage highlighted that the withdrawal followed a conditional ceasefire that required Israeli forces to halt air operations over southern Syria.
The Guardian noted, estimated the death toll at over 1,000 and described the current atmosphere in Suwayda as one of “tense calm.” The outlet also cited Druze community members who warned that unless the state addresses root causes, including tribal impunity and infrastructural neglect, peace would remain temporary.
