Fresh Fighting in Syria’s Suwayda Leaves One Dead

Fresh clashes between Syrian government forces and a Druze militia have left at least one fighter dead and several security personnel injured in the southern province of Suwayda.

The fighting began around Mazraa, about 12 kilometres northwest of Suwayda city, before spreading to parts of the western and northern countryside, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Observatory said a member of the National Guard, a Druze militia opposed to President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government, was killed and around 10 internal security personnel were injured. Syria’s state news agency SANA reported four security personnel wounded while responding to attacks by what it called “outlaw groups.”

The National Guard, led by Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, sent reinforcements to the area. The latest violence follows clashes that began last Thursday, with two civilians reportedly killed in further fighting on Sunday.

The renewed violence highlights Damascus’ continuing difficulty in establishing full control over Suwayda, where relations with the predominantly Druze population remain tense after deadly violence last year. A UN report said at least 1,700 people, mostly Druze civilians, were killed by government and affiliated forces.

A ceasefire and later a Syrian-Jordanian-US roadmap sought to restore security, government services, accountability and the return of displaced residents. However, clashes between the National Guard and government forces resumed in June and July.

The situation has also become linked to Israel’s involvement in southern Syria. Hijri has voiced support for Israel’s presence, while Israel says its operations are aimed at protecting Syria’s Druze community. Sharaa has condemned Israeli actions but is pursuing a security agreement and has pledged to protect minorities and hold those responsible for civilian killings accountable.

Suwayda remains one of the few areas where Damascus has not established itself as the sole military authority, underscoring the continuing security challenges facing Syria’s central government.