Fighting Flares in Sweida — Druze National Guard and Syrian Forces Trade Ceasefire Blame

Fighting flares in Sweida as Druze National Guard and Syrian forces trade accusations

A new round of clashes between Druze armed groups and Syrian government forces in Sweida province in southern Syria eased on Friday but raised fears of a wider escalation. Thursday’s fighting prompted mutual accusations that each side had violated a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that followed deadly clashes in July. Officials reported wounded on both sides but said there were no confirmed deaths in the fresh fighting.

National Guard statement: The region’s de facto military council, which calls itself the National Guard, said government units attacked the town of al‑Majdal on Thursday “using heavy and medium weapons and attack drones in an aggressive attempt to breach our defensive lines and hit vital sites.” In a statement, the group added, “Our forces bravely and efficiently repelled that attack, inflicting heavy losses on the attackers in both equipment and personnel.” These claims were issued by the National Guard and have not been independently verified.

Damascus response: The Syrian government denied that account and accused the Sweida factions of first violating the truce. Mustafa al‑Bakour, the Damascus‑appointed governor of Sweida province, said “some factions and the so‑called National Guard” carried out “attacks on de‑escalation points,” calling those moves a “clear violation of international agreements” that undermine reconstruction and plans to allow residents to return to their villages.

Local reports and analysts: Saber Abou Ras, a political analyst based in Sweida city, described Thursday’s clashes as “very intense and violent,” saying they involved drones, anti‑aircraft machine guns and mortar fire. He also reported hearing Israeli warplanes overhead, though it remained unclear whether any strikes were conducted. Abou Ras suggested the government assault was retaliatory after the police chief of the local administrative body, accompanied by “a large group of officers,” seized a checkpoint formerly controlled by Syrian security forces in the province’s northern countryside.

Official comments abroad: Speaking in London at an event hosted by the Chatham House think tank, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al‑Shibani acknowledged that “mistakes were made by all sides” in Sweida. “There are many problems, but we are not treating them as if we are the other party,” he said. “We see this as a Syrian wound — an internal problem within the same house.”

Background: Sweida was the scene of intense violence in July after clashes between Druze militias and local Bedouin tribes erupted following a series of reciprocal kidnappings. The violence widened when government security forces intervened and were widely reported to have sided with Bedouin factions. Human rights groups and local sources say hundreds of civilians — mostly Druze — were killed in those confrontations, with many casualties attributed to government fighters. Israel was reported to have carried out strikes in support of Druze positions, including strikes that hit government facilities in and around Damascus.

Aftermath and humanitarian impact: A U.S.-brokered ceasefire after the July violence led to a partial withdrawal of government forces from parts of Sweida. Since then, local Druze groups have established a de facto military and administrative authority in the province and have largely refused to coordinate with Damascus. Tens of thousands remain displaced — including Druze who are internally displaced within Sweida and Bedouin families moved to other areas.

Outlook: While the latest clashes subsided, the situation remains volatile and the potential for renewed fighting is high. Continued local tensions, competing security structures, and external involvement make a durable political resolution difficult in the near term.

Reporting note: Statements from armed groups and government officials are presented as reported; independent verification of specific tactical claims was not available at the time of publication.