Syria’s Soueida Province: Ceasefire Declared Amidst Escalating Druze-Bedouin Clashes, Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
DAMASCUS, SYRIA – A fragile ceasefire has been declared in Syria’s Soueida province, a region grappling with escalating violence between Druze and Bedouin tribes that has claimed nearly a thousand lives and plunged the area into a severe humanitarian crisis. The Syrian presidency announced an “immediate ceasefire” and urged all parties to adhere to it, following days of intense clashes that have devastated the province.
The power of Ahmad al-Chareh, a prominent figure in the region, announced the withdrawal of his forces and pledged to protect all minorities within the country. This move comes as the United States revealed an agreement between Syria and israel, wich had previously opposed the deployment of government forces in the strategically sensitive Soueida province, bordering the occupied Golan Heights.
“We call the Druze, the Bedouins and the Sunnis to lay down their arms, and, together, with the other minorities, to build a new and united Syrian identity, in peace and prosperity with its neighbors,” stated Mr. Barrack on social media platform X, underscoring the broader implications of the conflict.
Sporadic clashes were reported on Saturday morning, with witnesses describing ongoing tensions in the province. The Ministry of interior confirmed the deployment of internal security forces with the objective of protecting civilians and restoring order.However, our regional correspondent, Paul Khalifeh, reports that the ceasefire remains a declaration of intent, with neither the Druze nor the Bedouin communities having officially responded.Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds
The violence, which began on Sunday, July 13th, has resulted in a staggering death toll of 940, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH). The OSDH detailed that 588 Druze individuals, including 326 fighters and 262 civilians, were killed. Alarmingly, 182 Druze were reportedly “executed briefly by members (of the forces) of the Ministries of Defense and the Interior.” The casualties also include 312 members of government forces and 21 Sunni Bedouins, with three civilians among them reportedly killed by Druze fighters. Furthermore,15 members of government forces lost their lives in Israeli strikes,the NGO reported.
The sole functioning government hospital in Soueida has been overwhelmed, receiving “more than 400 bodies since Monday,” according to Dr.Omar Obeid, who spoke to AFP. Hospital staff described the facility as a “common pit,” highlighting the dire conditions.
Soueida province is currently facing a severe lack of essential resources, including water and electricity, with communications also disrupted. “The situation is catastrophic. There is no longer even milk for infants,” reported Rayan Maarouf, editor-in-chief of the local site Suwayda 24, to AFP. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed deep concern over the “rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation,” with Stephan Sakalian,head of the ICRC delegation in Syria,stating,”People lack everything. hospitals find it increasingly difficult to treat the wounded and patients.”
Conflict Spreads to Neighboring Countries
The escalating tensions have not been confined to Soueida, with reports of the conflict extending across Syria and into neighboring Lebanon. On Friday, July 18th, a call for general mobilization was issued, prompting over forty Syrian tribes to rally in support of the Bedouins in Deraa and Soueida. Thousands of fighters have reportedly moved towards the south of the country, reaching the outskirts of the city.in Lebanon, community tensions between Druze and Sunni populations have reportedly intensified, with calls for further action being made. The full extent of this spillover effect is still unfolding.
Stay tuned to world-today-news.com for ongoing coverage of this developing crisis.
