ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Nearly 250 people have been killed and about 100 others wounded during several days of fighting between the Bedouin tribe and members of the Druze community in Syria’s southern province of Suwayda.
The latest count published by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) on Wednesday includes 92 members of the Druze minority, 28 of whom are civilians, with 21 reported to have been “killed in summary executions by government forces.”
At least 138 Syrian security personnel were killed, along with 18 allied Bedouin fighters, according to SOHR.
Clashes began in Druze-majority Suwayda on Sunday afternoon after gunmen from local tribes attacked police checkpoints of internal security forces, which prompted the deployment of government troops.
The Syrian government announced a ceasefire in Suwayda on Tuesday to end the deadly fighting with Bedouin tribes, shortly after Damascus forces entered the southern city with help from the city’s “notables and dignitaries.”
Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli military struck the city, as Tel Aviv has repeatedly stated it will not tolerate attacks on the Druze community in Syria.
Israel on Wednesday reiterated that it would escalate attacks on Syria unless Damascus withdrew its forces from Suwayda.
Syria has repeatedly fallen into sectarian conflict since Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels overthrew the Bashar al-Assad regime in December, leading HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to seize the presidency.
Despite promises of inclusion, minorities remain wary of the new regime in power.
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