Syria: over 135 dead in sectarian clashes in Suwayda

Violent escalation in the south of the country: clashes between Druze, Bedouins and government militias, with heavy summary executions and Israeli raids

A real tragedy has unfolded in the southern province of Suwayda, Syria: in less than two weeks, there have been an estimated 135 victims, including civilians, Bedouin fighters, Druze militiamen and pro-government troops. The conflict, which originated from tribal skirmishes, has turned into a bloody clash, marked by documented summary executions.

According to local sources, 19 people were executed on the spot, presumably by groups linked to the Syrian Ministries of Defence and the Interior. Among the civilian victims, the tragedies of two families stand out: 12 members of the Radwan family, killed during an offensive in the capital, and four members of the Mazluma family, including a woman, killed in their home in the village of Thale. A particularly chilling episode involved three young brothers executed at the al-Basha roundabout; their mother, who was present at the scene, was spared but witnessed the tragedy without being able to do anything.

The escalation of violence prompted the Syrian government to declare a ceasefire, sending forces to the area and imposing a curfew, thanks in part to an agreement with local representatives. At the same time, Israeli raids against Syrian tanks near the border were reported, with the stated aim of protecting the Druze community.

Behind this spiral of violence lies a complex combination of ethnic and political tensions, a vacuum of state authority and the resurgence of old feuds. Druze leaders have commented that the truce has been violated and have called for urgent international protection, denouncing what they call a “campaign of extermination” against their people.

Alarm is growing throughout the region over a possible expansion of the conflict, with residents now suspicious and many fleeing the worst-affected areas. The fragility of the post-Assad Syrian state remains evident, while the future remains uncertain and fraught with tension.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)