Syrian security forces poised to enter Suwayda as tribal clashes intensify PHOTO/VIDEO

Syrian Interior Ministry forces are preparing for possible redeployment to the southern city of Suwayda, though no official movements or deployments have yet taken place, according to a ministry spokesperson.

According to Syrian media, Interior Ministry spokesman Nureddin Al-Baba stated that the security forces remain on standard combat alert and are currently positioned on the outskirts of Suwayda, Caliber.Az reports.

He emphasised that the forces have not yet entered the city, but are poised to do so in full, not partially, if necessary to restore order and prevent further violence.

Al-Baba explained that the purpose of the potential redeployment is to curb escalating clashes between local armed factions and Bedouin tribal fighters. Intense fighting has recently broken out near the city’s outskirts, particularly involving tribal units advancing from nearby areas.

According to reports, tribal fighters are currently situated about 3 kilometres from the city, with a particularly strong presence established in the village of Al-Mazraa in the Suwayda countryside. However, the government’s internal security units have yet to directly engage in any combat operations in the area.

Violence first erupted on July 14 when clashes between government forces and Druze-led local factions resulted in at least 34 deaths. Following several days of fighting, a ceasefire agreement was announced on July 17, which included the partial withdrawal of Syrian troops from the province as part of a power-sharing understanding with local leaders.

Despite the truce, tensions resurfaced the next day. On July 18, Syrian President al-Sharaa issued a public statement accusing Druze militants of breaching the ceasefire. He also condemned what he described as Israel’s "persistent and brazen interference" in Syria’s domestic affairs, warning that such actions were exacerbating the ongoing instability.

The president’s remarks followed Israeli airstrikes on July 16, which targeted the Syrian Armed Forces’ General Staff headquarters and a location near the presidential palace in Damascus. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strikes, citing Israel’s responsibility to uphold the demilitarised buffer zone in southwestern Syria and to ensure the safety of the local Druze communities.

The United States, meanwhile, distanced itself from the Israeli offensive. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated, “The United States did not support the recent Israeli strikes.” She added that Washington is engaged in high-level diplomatic discussions with both Israel and Syria aimed at de-escalating the current conflict and pursuing a long-term bilateral resolution between the two countries.

By Tamilla Hasanova