14.07.25 – 20.07.25

Suwayda
On the 13th, clashes between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze militias erupted in the region of Suwayda. It seems that the fighting started because some Bedouin militias beat and robbed a Suwaydawi Druze man two days before. In the goal of putting an end to the clashes, the Syrian Ministry of Defense deployed its forces in the region, reaching Suwayda city on the 14th. The government forces clashed with the Druze fighters and engaged in abuses like execution of Druze civilians and pillage. IDF conducted several airstrikes targeting Ministry of Defense tanks and vehicles, stating that the strikes aimed to protect the Druze minority in Syria and “eliminate the regime’s gangs”.
The United States demanded that Israel cease all airstrikes in southern Syria. On the 15th, the Syrian Defense Minister announced a ceasefire between the Syrian transitional government and local Suwaydawi leadership. A Druze militia not aligned on the Suwaydawi leadership broke the ceasefire when the transitional government forces entered Suwayda city. The leader of this militia, the Sheikh Hikmat al Hijri, stated that the Druze face a “war of extermination” and that they must confront the “barbaric campaign with all available means”. The Seikh, strong opponent to the transitional gorvernment, also called for international intervention in Suwayda. Ignoring the request of the US, Israel continued its airstrikes, hitting ministry of defense personnel, tanks, vehicles, and military bases as well as targeting the Syrian Presidential Palace and the ministry of defense headquarters in Damascus. In the face of the IDF bombing, the government forces left from Suwayda. This retreat resulted in a security vacuum: Druze militias and Bedouin tribes continued fighting, with both groups carrying out violence like murder, torture and kidnapping on civilians. In answer to the violence, Bedouin clans from Deir ez Zor, Idlib, and Daraa provinces deployed to Suwayda, seizing several towns in the Suwayda region. In a public speech, Al Sharaa stated that his “efforts to restore stability and expel outlawed factions succeeded, despite Israeli interventions”, framing the IDF operation as a way to oppose Syria’s unity.
On the 18th, Syria and Israel agreed on a ceasefire: despite previous demands for the demilitarization of the south of Syria, Israel allowed Ministry of Defense fighters to enter Suwayda province. The agreements will be implemented in three phases: In the first phase, the government forces will ensure the end of the fighting between the Druze militias and the Bedouin tribes. In the second phase, humanitarian help will be delivered to the civilians of Suwayda and infrastructure will be rebuilt. In the third phase, the Syrian government will activate state institutions, gradually redeploy government forces to Suwayda Province, and integrate Suwaydawi institutions into the Syrian state. Bedouin tribes and Druze leaders, including Sheikh Hikmat al Hijri, agreed with the ceasefire. As an implementation of the first phase, the government forces entered the region and Suwayda city where fighting is still ongoing.
In a speech given on the 19th, Al Sharaa reiterated the transitional government’s commitment to protect minorities and hold all perpetrators of violence accountable. The Syrian Transitional Government’s ability and willingness to hold its forces accountable for the crimes they committed during the conflict is questionable: still today and despite reports from humanitarian groups identifying perpetrators, the Syrian Transitional Government has not publicly held Syrian soldiers accountable for the massacres of Alawites on the Syrian coast in March. Lack of accountability will result in distrust from the Druze community of Suwayda towards the Syrian Transitional government. It is also likely that this episode will impact the already complicated relations between other minorities of Syria and the Al Sharaa government.

Attack against Asayish in the city of Hasake
On Sunday, 5 members of Asayish were killed in Shaddadi, southern countryside of Hasake. The actions have been claimed by ISIS, who continues its activities in different parts of Syria including Deir-Ez-Zor, Hasake and the Syrian desert. In a statement,the security forces said that “such attacks directed against the security of our society and aimed at destabilizing it will not shake our determination to fulfill our duty” and emphasized their “loyalty to the gains of our revolution and the values for which our people have sacrificed their lives”.

Controversy over presidential decrees in Syria’s transitional phase
Two recent decrees issued by Al Sharaa raised questions. One establishes a “Sovereign Fund” as an independent institution exclusively linked to the presidency. Journalists expressed concerns regarding the lack of accountability and transparency in this fund, suggesting a trend toward consolidating power within the presidency. The second decree is the amendment of a law which placed legislation and legal amendments under the exclusive authority of the People’s Assembly (not the transitional president). Legal experts expressed that, by questioning this law, the decree violates the constitutional declaration, which assigns legislative authority to the People’s Assembly.
Concerns were raised regarding the lack of democratic process: until a new People’s Assembly is elected, citizens have no legal means to challenge these decrees. Human rights activists, lawyers and journalists emphasized the need for accountability and adherence to constitutional processes in Syria’s transitional governance.