Bloody conflict in Suweida: Ten dead in fighting between Druze and Bedouins

Bloody conflict in Suweida: Ten dead in fighting between Druze and Bedouins

Heavy fighting has broken out again between Druze and Sunni Bedouins in the Syrian city of Suweida. Reports from Small newspaper According to reports, at least ten people were killed and another 50 were injured. The unrest sparked by a robbery of a Druze youth has quickly spread and is taking its toll on the region's already tense security situation.

The situation is further complicated by long-running conflicts between the Bedouins and the Druze that have existed since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Before the 2011 civil war, there were about 700,000 Druze living in Syria, mostly based in Suweida province. This minority makes up around three percent of the Syrian population and also lives in Lebanon, Israel and the Golan Heights.

Political reactions and security measures

The Syrian Interior Authority reports that at least 30 people died in the clashes, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights speaks of at least 37 perpetrators, including 27 Druze and 10 Bedouins. Two Druze children were among the fatalities. In response to the escalation of violence, the Ministry of Defense has deployed military reinforcements to the border area between Daraa and Suweida. The governor of Suweida, Mustafa al-Bakur, has called on citizens to exercise restraint. In addition, senior Druze clerics are calling for the authorities in Damascus to intervene to end the violence.

In addition to these current incidents, it is known that there were already serious clashes between Druze and supporters of Islamist groups in 2020, in which dozens of people were killed. This shows the ongoing concern for the rights and security of minorities in Syria, which has only worsened in the current situation.

A look at ethnic diversity and its dangers

Experts warn of the threat that attacks on religious minorities such as Druze, Alawites and Christians pose to Syria's ethnic diversity. After the fall of the Assad regime, there were massacres and clashes between various religious groups. For example, in March 2025, several family members of an Alawite café owner were killed by Sunni fighters. In this tense situation, there is a lack of a functioning justice system that could punish crimes and prevent further attacks, which further fuels distrust among ethnic groups.

A recent incident in April 2025, in which an allegedly faked audio recording led to demonstrations against Druze, illustrates the fragile situation. Thousands of Druze students felt threatened and had to abandon their studies. This shows the far-reaching social and political impact of the current outbreaks of violence and highlights the need for rapid action to ensure stability in the region and ensure the security of minorities.