Evacuations Begin in Sweida Amid Rising Tensions
On Monday, the Syrian government started the evacuation of hundreds of Bedouin families from areas surrounding Sweida following violent clashes that erupted last week.
Syrian President Ahmed Arshara has accused the Druze community of sparking the violence, while Druze leaders claim that government forces have allied with Bedouins in a harsh campaign against them.
The Syrian Red Crescent reported that approximately 1,500 Bedouins were evacuated from Della, a province under government control, using a fleet of 120 buses.
Druze representatives allege that Arab Muslim militias have been staging attacks from DERAA against the Druze living in Sweida. They assert that weapons were covertly delivered to these militias disguised as vegetable shipments to evade Israeli airstrikes.
The United Nations announced on Sunday that humanitarian convoys are currently being blocked from entering Sweida, though it hasn’t identified the parties involved. However, a convoy from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent was allowed into the region, delivering food supplies from Damascus.
After several failed ceasefire attempts last week, fresh fighting broke out. Israel intervened to protect the Druze following attacks from government forces and their Bedouin allies, leading the central government to decide on the evacuation of combatants in a bid to maintain peace.
On the weekend, along with the evacuation of Bedouins, central government forces withdrew from Sweida following a condemnation agreement between President Arshara and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the London-based Syrian Human Rights Observatory (SOHR), the Druze military has regained control over Sweida, pushing back “tribal fighters,” mostly Bedouins.
SOHR reported that the death toll in Sweida has now reached over 1,120, which includes 427 Druze fighters, 298 Druze civilians, 354 government security personnel, and 21 Bedouins. They claimed that 194 Druze civilians were executed immediately by officials, while three Bedouin civilians were killed by Druze fighters.
In his recent speech, Arshara urged Bedouin tribes to adhere to a ceasefire while condemning the violence against armed groups from Sweida, indicating that Druze retaliatory attacks on Bedouins and their families were particularly egregious.
Arshara expressed gratitude toward the Bedouins for their stance but insisted they commit fully to the ceasefire and follow state orders.
He, having led a previous al-Qaeda faction, described how the situation should reflect a fundamental pillar for all Syrian people and reaffirmed that Sweida is an integral part of Syria.
Sharaa condemned Israel for facilitating maneuverability for “outlaw” Druze militias that launched retaliatory attacks against Bedouin families, further complicating the situation in the region.
He emphasized that only the Syrian state could guarantee authority and sovereignty across the nation, criticizing Bedouins for trying to protect themselves rather than relying on governmental support.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideo Sa’ar responded by criticizing Sharaa, labeling the Syrian leader’s actions as that of jihadist attackers and suggesting that minority communities face extreme dangers in Syria.
Doctors in Sweida expressed horror at the government’s actions, claiming that local medical teams were targeted while attempting to assist victims. They painted a grim picture of the current state of the region, describing Sweida as a disaster area.
A Druze leader reflected on the overwhelming fear and chaos, stating, “We have now just managed to survive.”
Reports indicate that the international media and the United Nations often diminish the severity of violence in Sweida, arguing it does not fit their preferred narratives regarding the region’s unrest.
Describing the complexities of the situation, one observer noted, “It’s a messy scenario with no clear villains, and human rights groups sometimes remove reports that don’t align with their narratives, leading to broader misunderstandings.”
