On July 13, 2025, the southern Syrian city of Sweida, home to a predominantly Druze population, was the scene of intense armed clashes between Druze and Bedouin militias, resulting in hundreds of casualties. A ceasefire was brokered shortly afterward with mediation by the United States and support from Turkey and Jordan.

The truce, however, quickly broke down, and violence resumed. In the following days, the province was targeted by a series of Israeli airstrikes. Israel stated that the strikes were intended to protect the Druze community from threats posed by both Bedouin militias and Syrian government forces. A second ceasefire was reached, which led to a temporary reduction in violence. Nevertheless, the situation remains volatile and at high risk of renewed conflict.

“Syrian security forces have moved into the area intending to restore order and protect civilians,” stated Interior Minister Ali Keda. He emphasized that government troops were deployed not to support either side, but to prevent further bloodshed and restore calm. In contrast, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli strikes, describing them as occurring “at a calculated moment and in a suspicious context, clearly aimed at undermining national stability and targeting Syrian unity at a critical time.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military intervention, stating that Israel acted “to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the gangs of the regime.”

According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 130,000 people were displaced by the fighting. With major supply routes cut off and access to essential goods severely limited, Sweida was left almost completely isolated from the rest of the country for several days. In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent dispatched two aid convoys to assist the civilian population.

The crisis in Sweida is not an isolated case. In March 2025, armed clashes also broke out in Latakia, an Alawite-majority region, once again putting civilians at risk. The central government, now led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, currently controls only an estimated 60 to 70 percent of the national territory. Without decisive action, more areas could fall under the control of militias and armed groups.

The government of Ahmad al-Sharaa, which assumed power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, is struggling to govern a fragmented society composed of diverse ethnic and religious communities. In an effort to stabilize the country, it has initiated a fragile transition process aimed at repairing relations with key minority groups, including the Kurds, Druze, and Christians. In early 2025, the administration sought to reassert control over the southern regions. However, the continued exclusion of the Druze from meaningful political participation triggered renewed unrest, including violent incidents in Qatana in May.

At the same time, Syria’s democratic institutions, economy, and territorial sovereignty remain severely weakened. The newly formed parliament lacks democratic legitimacy, as it was not elected through free and fair processes. Compounding these political challenges, the national economy is grappling with a severe agricultural crisis triggered by prolonged drought, further exacerbating social instability.

In this context of internal instability, Israel’s involvement in Sweida takes on broader geopolitical significance. While the Israeli government claims it is acting to protect the Druze, its actions may also be aimed at exploiting Syria’s divisions to strengthen control over key strategic areas, particularly those near the Golan Heights. The Golan, occupied by Israel in 1967 and unilaterally annexed in 1981 in violation of international law, remains a highly contested and sensitive region. For the Israeli government, ensuring stability in neighboring Syrian territories is seen as essential to preventing infiltration by hostile militias and reinforcing its control over this vital area.

To prevent further escalation and potential expansion of Israeli operations, the Syrian government must prioritize restoring internal political stability. A crucial step will be the genuine political inclusion of minority communities, which is essential for achieving long-term peace and national reconciliation.