Syria will investigate “violations” in Druze city

Syria has announced it will investigate the “shocking violations” reportedly committed by individuals in military uniforms in the city of Sweida, a Druze-majority area, as reported by Al-Monitor via Reuters on July 22nd.

Recent clashes in the region erupted between the Druze community and Syrian Bedouin tribes. Tensions escalated when government forces intervened, triggering violent confrontations with Druze militias.

The resulting conflict killed more than 300 people and prompted Israeli military involvement. Israel launched airstrikes on southern Syria and directly targeted the defence ministry in Damascus, claiming it aimed to protect the Druze population – a community that also holds a significant presence within Israel.

Following the violence, Syria and Israel reached a ceasefire backed by Turkey, Jordan, and neighbouring nations.

Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra declared that the ministry would show “no tolerance” for human rights violations in Sweida, even if Syrian military personnel were involved. He confirmed the formation of a committee to investigate reports of killings by individuals wearing military clothing.

The Syrian interior ministry also confirmed a separate inquiry into alleged field executions carried out by “unknown people” in Sweida. Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din Al-Baba stated, “[s]uch acts constitute serious crimes,” and emphasised ongoing efforts to identify those responsible.

Meanwhile, a Syrian fact-finding body reported that 1,426 people died in March in attacks targeting security forces and subsequent retaliatory massacres of Alawites. The committee found no evidence that commanders had authorised revenge killings.

These events mark the gravest outbreak of violence since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Syria’s new leadership, composed largely of former anti-Assad fighters, now faces growing unrest involving minority groups across the southwest.

Al-Monitor via Reuters, Maghrebi.org