Syria warns of harsh response to ceasefire violators as clashes persist

The Syrian Interior Ministry has confirmed the deployment of government security forces to the southern city of As-Suwayda in response to a wave of violence that has rocked the region since mid-July. The move follows an official declaration by the Syrian presidential administration of an “immediate and comprehensive” ceasefire, aimed at halting hostilities across all regions of the country.

According to Syria.tv, the presidential statement emphasised that any breach of the ceasefire would constitute “a clear violation of sovereignty,” signalling Damascus’ firm stance on restoring order and asserting central authority.

Special forces are also being dispatched to As-Suwayda to contain clashes that have intensified in recent days between local groups. The violence, which began on July 13, erupted after the alleged beating and abduction of a Druze merchant — an incident that triggered a cycle of retaliation and escalating confrontations between local Druze and Bedouin tribes.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that at least 718 people have been killed in the ongoing violence in As-Suwayda since the clashes began. Government troops were initially sent to the area on July 14 as tensions quickly spiralled.

In a further complication, Israeli forces intervened in the situation, carrying out airstrikes on Syrian military installations in Damascus. Israel claimed its actions were in defense of the Druze population, citing ties between the Druze community in Syria and Israeli Druze citizens. Israeli strikes continued through the night of July 18, further aggravating the regional crisis.

The standoff between the new Syrian government and the Druze community reflects deeper political and security frictions. A key point of contention is the government’s push to disarm Druze militias and integrate them into a unified national security structure. However, no agreement has been reached with Druze leaders, who insist on maintaining their weapons and preserving the autonomy of their local defence forces.

Druze concerns have also been fueled by a perceived marginalisation in the country’s political process. Currently, only one Druze representative serves in the Syrian government, a fact that has heightened fears of exclusion from national dialogue and governance.

Amid this complex backdrop, the United States successfully brokered a ceasefire agreement between Syria and Israel on July 18.

By Tamilla Hasanova