Clashes in Syria’s Sweida Lead to Nearly 90 Fatalities
(MENAFN) At least 89 fatalities and roughly 200 injuries have been reported over the last two days amid intensifying clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes in Syria’s southern Sweida province, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Monday.
In contrast, the Syrian defense authority’s statement, published by a state-owned news agency, cites a death toll exceeding 30, with about 100 individuals wounded.
The outbreak of violence stems from a lack of institutional oversight that has obstructed effective security measures. To address the turmoil, specialized military units have been dispatched to separate the hostile groups and safeguard evacuation routes for civilians, the statement detailed.
The defense authority called for calm, cautioning that ongoing hostilities would only intensify civilian hardship, while reaffirming its dedication to restoring order through joint operations with interior security forces.
A correspondent from a news outlet, reporting from the area, confirmed that despite mediation efforts, fierce fighting continued on Monday, with frequent explosions echoing across western rural Sweida.
A source within “Rijal al-Karama,” the largest armed faction in Sweida, told media that a prisoner exchange was anticipated Monday between Bedouin tribes located in the al-Muqawwas neighborhood and local factions, aimed at reducing tensions.
The source revealed that Bedouin fighters have kidnapped 11 Druze civilians from Sweida, while local armed groups have detained five Bedouin civilians in response.
The conflict’s origin traces back to a prior incident where a young Druze man was assaulted and robbed by armed Bedouins at a temporary checkpoint near al-Masmiyah. In retaliation, Druze fighters detained several Bedouin members, sparking the escalation.
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