Sweida’s deadliest week: Nearly 1,000 killed in clashes

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, fighting has resumed on Saturday between Druze forces in Sweida province and elements affiliated with the Syrian rebel government and Arab tribes.

The clashes intensified after the ceasefire agreement, mediated by the U.S. and Turkey, was once again violated. Earlier today, Tom Barrack announced that Ahmed al-Sharaa and Netanyahu had agreed on a ceasefire in Sweida — a deal immediately rejected by Arab tribes.

Under the terms of the agreement, forces from the Syrian rebel government were supposed to be stationed around Sweida city to prevent armed tribal groups from entering the city. However, the deployment of these forces and the establishment of checkpoints beyond the administrative borders of the province have themselves sparked renewed tensions.

According to data released by the human rights watchdog, at least 940 people have been killed since the fighting began on July 13 — the majority of them civilians.

Among the dead are 182 individuals, including 26 women, 6 children, and 1 elderly man, who were executed on the spot by forces affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior of the Julani government.

Today, reports also emerged of an armed attack by Bedouin tribesmen on the village of Kafr al-Lahf in western Sweida, sparking fear among the residents. Simultaneously, tribal forces shelled the village of Umm al-Zaytoun from their positions in the industrial zone.

The Syrian Observatory also reported sporadic clashes continuing this morning within Sweida city itself.

Syrian sources claim that forces from the Defense and Interior Ministries of the Julani government, who were ostensibly sent to restore calm, have themselves worsened the situation. These elements, mostly holding Salafi and Takfiri ideologies, have so far executed 182 Druze civilians in summary field executions.

The Observatory reported that armed men entered certain neighborhoods in Sweida this morning and clashed with local Druze forces. Documents and IDs recovered from them revealed they belonged to the "Military Operations Directorate" under the Julani Defense Ministry.

It is also reported that these forces have positioned heavy weapons and snipers in various locations, firing indiscriminately and causing civilian casualties.