The Syrian army entered the southern city of Sweida on Tuesday after days of escalating violence between local Druze factions and Bedouin fighters. Military columns backed by heavy artillery advanced early in the morning while explosions and gunfire echoed throughout the city’s neighborhoods.
The Defense Ministry confirmed the army’s entry and urged civilians to remain indoors and report movements of armed outlaw groups. Clashes broke out on Sunday after Bedouin gunmen abducted a Druze vendor along the Damascus highway, triggering a series of retaliatory kidnappings.
Druze leaders initially supported troop deployment but later voiced concerns over the government’s military approach to resolving the conflict. A prominent spiritual figure, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, demanded international protection and accused Syrian forces of violating a ceasefire agreement.
Despite calls for calm, the Defense Minister stated a complete ceasefire was in effect and that troops would fire if attacked. The conflict intensified after Israel bombed Syrian tanks, claiming it acted to protect Druze civilians in the area.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Syria that harming Druze civilians would result in immediate military retaliation. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 99 people dead, including civilians, soldiers, Druze fighters and Bedouin combatants.
Residents described the violence as terrifying, with shells landing randomly and fears of large-scale massacres similar to previous attacks. One woman warned that surrendering weapons without equal treatment from the state would only fuel future unrest.
