Clashes In Syria's Druze-Dominated City Lead To 99 Deaths And Martial Law Imposed

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, deadly sectarian clashes in the city of Suwayda, predominantly inhabited by Druze, have led to at least 99 deaths and hundreds of injuries as of Monday evening, July 14.

The clashes, which began on Sunday, escalated after the kidnapping of a Druze merchant on the Damascus-Suwayda highway on Friday. Local sources report that tensions mounted between the Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin tribes.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that among the dead, 60 were Druze, including two children, and 18 were from the Bedouin tribes. Additionally, 18 security personnel dispatched to the area were killed in attacks by armed groups.

Syria's Ministry of Interior announced the deployment of military forces to restore order and declared martial law in Suwayda on Tuesday, July 15. International media reported that Syrian security forces have been stationed at the borders of Suwayda and Daraa, and school exams have been postponed.

Druze religious leaders have called for restraint and agreed to allow government forces to intervene in order to halt the violence. Rayan Ma'rouf, a Druze scholar, told Reuters,“This cycle of violence is spreading, and without intervention, it will lead to a bloodbath.”

These clashes are the deadliest tensions in Suwayda since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, raising concerns over the growing sectarian and religious divides within Syria. The situation in Suwayda highlights the precarious balance in the country, with religious and ethnic divisions threatening to escalate into further violence.

The international community remains on edge, watching closely as the situation continues to unfold. There is an urgent call for international intervention to mediate the growing ethnic and sectarian violence, which threatens to destabilize the region further. The rising tension in Suwayda calls for immediate and comprehensive peace efforts to address the underlying causes of conflict and prevent future bloodshed.

MENAFN16072025000228011069ID1109806643