Damascus blames armed groups for atrocities after Suwayda troop pullback

The Syrian Presidential Administration has accused illegal armed groups in the southern province of Suwayda of committing “horrific crimes” against civilians following the withdrawal of Syrian military and internal security forces. 

The government emphasised that all those responsible will be held accountable, calling the attacks a flagrant violation of recent mediation agreements.

According to Syria.tv, the withdrawal was carried out after the US and Arab states mediated an arrangement intended to de-escalate tensions in the province. The Syrian leadership stated that the redeployment of forces was meant to guarantee calm, on the condition that armed factions refrain from retaliation or violence against the local population.

“The Syrian leadership withdrew military forces from Suwayda to their original positions in order to ensure calm in the province. This is based on a clear understanding that guarantees the commitment of illegal groups not to resort to revenge or violence against the civilian population,” the statement read.

However, the government said this understanding was violated when armed groups carried out violent attacks documented internationally. The statement described the incidents as “heinous crimes” that not only breached the terms of the agreement but also “directly threaten civil peace and push toward chaos and the collapse of the security system.”

The withdrawal of forces and subsequent unrest followed Israeli airstrikes in the Syrian capital on July 16. Israeli warplanes targeted the entrance of the Ministry of Defence and another location near the presidential palace. The Israeli leadership justified the strikes by claiming it aimed to protect the Druze minority in Suwayda from the Syrian army.

In the aftermath of the Israeli attacks, the Syrian government announced a ceasefire in Suwayda and began the pullback of military units from the region. While army forces have reportedly left their positions, it remains unclear whether other groups involved in clashes — including those confronting the Druze — have also disengaged. International agencies noted that official statements only referenced army withdrawals.

In a televised address on the evening of July 17, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa reaffirmed his government’s commitment to national unity and protection of minority rights. He condemned foreign interference, stating:

“Israel’s continued gross interference in Syria’s internal affairs only leads to greater chaos and destruction and further complicates the situation in the region.”

Al-Sharaa also emphasised that safeguarding the Druze population is a central responsibility of the Syrian state, and rejected attempts by outside powers to instrumentalise the community for political purposes.

“The central authorities of Syria consider the protection of the rights of the Druze minority to be their most important task and reject attempts by external forces to use it for their own interests,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova