Bedouin Civilians Evacuate Syria’s Sweida

Bedouin Civilians Evacuate Syria's Sweida. Credit: France 24

Syrian authorities on Monday began evacuating Bedouin families from the southern city of Sweida following more than a week of deadly clashes between Druze militiamen and Bedouin fighters.

The operation, coordinated by the government and local officials, saw the evacuation of approximately 1,500 people, according to Syria’s state news agency. Families were transported in buses escorted by Syrian Arab Red Crescent vehicles and ambulances, while others departed in trucks carrying personal belongings.

The UN’s International Organisation for Migration reported that nearly 129,000 people were displaced during the fighting between Druze militias and Sunni Muslim Bedouin clans. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 1,000 people were killed in the violence, which further destabilised Syria’s already fragile postwar landscape.

Advertisement

The sectarian conflict sparked targeted attacks on the Druze community, followed by retaliatory assaults on Bedouin groups, deepening communal rifts.

Bedouin Civilians Evacuate Syria's Sweida
Bedouin Civilians Evacuate Syria’s Sweida. Credit: France 24

Evacuations began after a ceasefire was reached on Sunday, prompting Bedouin fighters to withdraw from the city. The truce also paved the way for the Syrian military to deploy on Sweida’s outskirts under a U.S.-backed agreement between Syria and Israel.

Last week, Israel carried out multiple airstrikes in the Druze-majority province, targeting government forces accused of supporting the Bedouin militias.

Humanitarian aid has started to reach the affected population. On Sunday, a 32-vehicle Red Crescent convoy entered Sweida. However, a separate aid delivery led by a Syrian government delegation was blocked from entering the city.

The situation remains tense but temporarily stabilised, with international agencies calling for continued restraint and protection for civilians on all sides.

Author

Share the Story
Add a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement