At least 89 people have been killed and nearly 200 injured in two days of fierce clashes in western Suwayda province, primarily in the areas of Kanaker, Thaala, and Mazraa. The fighting is taking place between local Druze armed groups against government-aligned Bedouin tribal militants backed by Syrian army and Interior Ministry units.
The dead include civilians, Bedouins, HTS-led government military personnel, and unidentified fighters in uniform, with medical teams overwhelmed amid a severe shortage of supplies. The Syrian Ministry of Defense has deployed major reinforcements from Homs and Damascus.
The escalation was triggered by a chain of retaliatory kidnappings after a young Druze man was assaulted by Bedouin tribal members. In response, locals abducted members of the tribes, who then set up roadblocks and detained armed locals. The clashes intensified Monday morning as tribal fighters and regime forces launched a coordinated assault from eastern Deraa targeting several villages in Suwayda’s west. The government has since reinforced its checkpoints and military presence, with fighting ongoing away from media coverage
Spiritual leader of the Syrian Druze community, Hekmat al-Hejri:
“We reaffirm our commitment to all our previous statements, particularly those urgently requesting international protection, due to the worsening security situation.
We categorically reject the entry of any security agency into our areas, foremost among them ‘General Security’ and ‘the Authority.’
Last night, elements of the General Security entered our administrative borders under the guise of protection, but proceeded to shell our border villages and supported takfiri militias using heavy weaponry and drones.
We hold fully accountable anyone who participates in or facilitates the entry of General Security forces into our areas, as well as anyone involved in targeting our people and our land.
We reiterate our urgent demand for immediate international protection to prevent further bloodshed among our people.
With God’s help, we will not hesitate to defend our dignity and our land by all legitimate means.”
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