Israel has authorized limited access for Syrian security forces into the Sweida area of southern Syria for a period of 48 hours, following significant violence in and around the Druze city. An Israeli official, who requested anonymity, confirmed this decision on Friday, citing ongoing instability in southwest Syria. The official stated, “In light of the ongoing instability in southwest Syria, Israel has agreed to allow limited entry of the (Syrian) internal security forces into Sweida district.”
Despite this development, the spokesperson for Syria’s interior ministry indicated that government forces are not preparing to redeploy to the province. The situation remains precarious, particularly after clashes erupted late Thursday between Bedouin tribes and the Druze community, a religious minority in Syria. Local sources, including Ryan Marouf, head of the news outlet Sweida24, reported that fighting continued into Friday.
The Syrian government had deployed troops to Sweida earlier this week in an effort to mitigate some of the most intense internal conflicts since the interim government took control in late 2024. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least 254 individuals have died in the recent four days of fighting, including medical personnel, women, and children.
Israel’s involvement in the conflict intensified on Wednesday when it conducted airstrikes against Syrian positions in Sweida and near the presidential palace in Damascus. The Israeli government has expressed its determination to protect the Druze community from attacks, especially in light of calls from its own Druze minority. Israel has characterized Syria’s new leadership as closely aligned with extremist elements.
Escalating Hostilities and Human Rights Concerns
In response to the violence, the UN human rights office has called on Syria’s interim authorities to ensure accountability for reported human rights violations, including summary executions and kidnappings. The office announced that at least 13 people were unlawfully killed during a family gathering on July 15, when affiliates of the interim authorities opened fire. Additionally, six men were reported to have been executed without due process on the same day.
The UN refugee agency has urged all parties involved to facilitate humanitarian access, which has been severely restricted due to ongoing violence. The agency’s calls come as the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.
The United States appears to be at odds with Israel regarding the conflict, having expressed disapproval of the recent Israeli strikes. The US previously intervened to help broker a truce between the government forces and Druze fighters, which, according to the White House, seemed to be holding as of Thursday.
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has accused Israel of attempting to destabilize Syria while promising to protect the Druze minority. This ongoing conflict highlights the complex interplay of regional politics and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in southern Syria.
As tensions rise, the international community watches closely, with calls for a resolution to the violence and support for those affected by the ongoing strife in Sweida and beyond.
