In the past few week, the Syrian governorate of Suwayda was engulfed in tribal clashes that led to a spiralling escalation involving Syrian military personnel and Israeli air strikes. In a matter of a week, the death toll has crossed over five hundred civilian casualties.
The powder keg was ignited by Bedouin tribe members and the Druze community in Syria who got involved in riots, abductions and violent clashes in Suwayda. The Bedouins are Arabic Nomadic tribes who mostly follow Sunni Islam, but also practice traditional nomadic practices. They are backed by Syrian government forces. The Druze are a minority community who follow an abrahamic faith that is unique and different from Islam, Judaism and Christianity, but holds its roots in them. They inhabit the Southern Syrian region along with some areas in Israel.
In the conflict, Syrian forces entered the southern province of Sweida and targeted the Druze including their armed militia. In return, Israel bombed Damascus and other areas and signalled support for Druze minorities. US along with other regional powers aided in the negotiations to return to peace and prevent further escalations. Israel has maintained that it the Southern Syrian province should remain de-militarized.
The militants of both Druze and Bedouin tribes have left the Suwayda city with the Syrian military securing the area.
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