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 an immediate ceasefire was later reached with the mediation of the United States, Turkey and Arab countries, the clash continued, leading to concerns.
Armed 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 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 — to which the Assad family belongs — led to the deaths of more than a thousand. Druze militias and Bedouin tribesmen have also periodically clashed over the years. But the latest armed fighting started after the robbery and abduction of a Druze merchant on the highway to Damascus last Friday. The attacks of the Israeli military have complicated the situation.
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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 made various efforts including ceasefires with groups especially Kurds to mitigate conflicts. Peace negotiations on the latest conflict are ongoing. The Syrian defense ministry called for a ceasefire, reached with local dignitaries, to end clashes. 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, needs to address.
A complex mix of grievances and political opportunism, exacerbated by several causes including the fall of the Assad regime and the lack of strong government institutions in the region, can pose challenges. The lack of trust between Druze minority and Bedouin communities and the lack of cooperation between the government and Druze communities can also put hindrances to addressing sectarian violence — involving the ethnic parties. Pertinently saying, Druze militias, which have developed their own army, have resisted the attempts of the state to impose authority over southern Syria immediately after the fall of the Assad regime. Among the others, the involvement of external actors including Israel, where many members of the Druze community live, can pose some challenges.
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The presence of the Syrian Armed Forces in the conflicting region of Suweida may help prevent further ethnic escalation. 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 an effective ceasefire is vital for peace. Israeli attacks on 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. The parties need to maintain it. But the government also needs to look beyond these Suweida clashes and address sectarian violence across the country seriously to bring peace and stability to Syria. For this, addressing the reasoned concerns of different sects is vital. A planned approach may be helpful. But holding dialogues with different sects is vital to reach inclusive solutions to sectarian clashes.
