20 July, 2025
urgent-ceasefire-in-syria-s-sweida-amid-escalating-violence

UPDATE: Heavy fighting has erupted in Syria’s predominantly Druze region of Sweida, as a fragile ceasefire struggles to take hold. Reports confirm that machine gun fire and mortar shelling were heard throughout the city on October 14, 2023, following days of intense clashes that have left hundreds dead.

Witnesses report ongoing violence, with mortar shells landing in nearby villages and at least 22 people injured in recent fighting. Doctors in local hospitals have described overwhelming casualties, with injuries primarily from explosive devices. As the situation deteriorates, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for an immediate end to hostilities, citing the urgent need for peace in the region.

The unrest began last week, escalating from initial clashes between the Druze, a religious minority in southern Syria, and local Bedouin tribes. As government forces intervened, tensions surged, leading to violent confrontations. Sharaa criticized Israel for air strikes during this tumultuous period, claiming they have exacerbated instability in the region.

In a televised address, Sharaa stated, “Syria will not be a testing ground for partition, secession, or sectarian incitement.” However, he has also faced backlash, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accusing the Syrian leadership of failing to protect minority rights, saying, “In al-Sharaa’s Syria, it is very dangerous to be a member of a minority—Kurd, Druze, Alawite, or Christian.”

The situation has drawn international attention, with US Envoy Tom Barrack confirming that a ceasefire has been agreed upon. Barrack urged all factions, including Druze, Bedouins, and other minorities, to work towards a unified Syrian identity.

Despite these calls for peace, the violence continues. Residents like Mansour Namour, living near Sweida city, report terrifying scenes as mortar shells land in their neighborhoods. “Mortar shells were still landing near my home this afternoon,” Namour stated.

As of this moment, military forces are reportedly being deployed to the area in an attempt to restore order, but the situation remains precarious. The international community watches closely, concerned about the implications of this unrest on regional stability.

What happens next is critical. With calls for both internal and external intervention growing, the eyes of the world are fixed on Sweida. The local population, already weary from conflict, waits anxiously for a resolution to this latest outbreak of violence. The urgency for a sustainable peace agreement is palpable as the humanitarian toll continues to rise.

Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.