Clashes have taken place many times since December last year, leading to concerns. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, the latest conflict took place between Druze militias and Bedouin tribesmen in Suweida governorate that drew in Syrian government forces and triggered Israeli airstrikes in Syria. The clashes led to a curfew declared by Syrian authorities and the deaths of more than 300 members of the armed forces and civilians and forced more than a thousand to flee towards the countryside. Even if a ceasefire was later reached with the mediation of the United States, Turkey and Arab countries, the clash started anew, leading to concerns.
Conflicts in Syria have become newly complicated after the fall of the Basha-al-Assad regime in December 2024 in an offensive led by rebel militia group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) due to the lack of the government’s adequate peace efforts, historical conflicts, sectarian differences and other reasons. Pertinently saying, there are diverse ethnic and sectarian communities including Alawites, a minority esoteric sect of Islam, Bedouin tribes, Druze communities, ethnically Arab and consisting of Muslims, Christians and Jews, and Kurds, the largest ethnic minority in Syria. The clashes between the government forces and Alawites — the group to which the Assad belong — led to the death of more than a thousand. Druze militias and Bedouin tribesmen have also periodically clashed over the years. But the latest fighting started after the robbery and abduction of a Druze merchant on the highway to Damascus last Friday. The attacks of the Israeli military has complicated the situation.
But, hopefully saying, there are ceasefire-based and other developments following the latest sectarian clash in Syria, where the interim government led by Ahmed Al-Sharaa has called for unity and made various efforts including ceasefires with groups especially Kurds to mitigate conflicts. The defense ministry of Syria called for a ceasefire to end the clash between Druze militias and the Bedouin community, The US urged Israel to stop attacks and the latter said it would stop strikes, increasing the chance of de-escalation. After mediation between Bedouin and Druze leaders, both sides also released the people they had kidnapped. But there are various challenges that Syria, the war‑scarred country which has been pushed into a volatile juncture due to sectarian conflicts, need to address.
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A complex mix of grievances and political opportunism, exacerbated by a variety of causes including the fall of the Assad regime, subsequent power vacuum and the lack of strong government institutions in the region, can pose challenges. The lack of trust between the parties and the unwillingness to support the government can also put hindrances to addressing sectarian violence involving the Druze minority and Bedouin communities. Several ethnic groups including Druze militias, which have developed their own army, have not joined the government forces after the fall of the Assad regime — despite the government’s call. Among the others, the involvement of external actors including Israel, where many members of the Druze community live, can pose some challenges.
The presence of the government forces in the region is vital to maintain the ceasefire and prevent further escalation between the two ethnic minority groups. The role of two leaders such as Sheikh Hikmat Salman al-Hijri of the Druze community and Abdul Moneim al-Naseef of Bedouin tribesmen is also vital. But the attacks by Israel in Syria can complicate the situation and fuel sectarian conflicts. Pertinently saying, Israel, in addition to the latest attacks, carried out hundreds of air strikes across Syria earlier to destroy the military assets since the fall of the Assad regime.
The ceasefire reached between Israel and Syria is a positive development and vital for such attacks. The parties need to maintain it. But the government also needs to look beyond this clash and address sectarian violence across the country seriously to bring peace and stability to Syria. For this, it is vital to address the reasoned concerns of different sects. A planned approach may be helpful. But holding dialogues with different sects is vital to reach inclusive solutions to sectarian clashes.
