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Fresh sectarian violence in Syria’s southern province of Sweida left at least two people dead on Sunday, according to a war monitor, marking the first deadly flare-up since a fragile ceasefire was brokered last month. The province, which has a majority Druze population, has experienced heightened tensions following clashes in July between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouins, prompting government troops and allied tribal forces to intervene on the side of the Bedouins.
Though a truce had brought a temporary halt to the bloodshed — which claimed 1,400 lives according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights — the situation remained volatile. On Sunday, fighting resumed near Tal Hadid, a strategically located high ground in western Sweida. The Observatory reported that a member of the General Security forces was killed and seven others were injured during confrontations with local armed groups, while one local fighter also died.
Tal Hadid, due to its elevated position, is regarded as a crucial vantage point for controlling surrounding territories. Violence also broke out near the town of Thaala following shelling and use of heavy weaponry originating from areas held by government forces, the Observatory stated. Explosions and gunfire were reportedly heard throughout Sweida city.
Sources within Sweida and the monitoring group claim that the Syrian government has imposed a blockade on the province in an effort to pressure the population into submission. The main road connecting Sweida to the capital, Damascus, has been closed since July 20. While Damascus blames Druze factions for severing the route, the Observatory asserts that pro-government militias have taken control of the area and are actively preventing passage.
The Syrian government had earlier pledged to investigate the July violence. A committee assigned to the inquiry held its first official meeting on Saturday.
