Damascus accuses Sweida factions of breaking ceasefire, sowing 'chaos'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Aug 2025 21:07

The ministry claimed that these factions have intensified attacks on internal security forces and humanitarian infrastructure in recent days, warning of a broader campaign to destabilize the province.

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A Druze militiaman mans a checkpoint following last week's sectarian clashes in the Druze-majority town of Sweida, Syria, Friday, July 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

The Syrian interim Interior Ministry issued a statement on Sunday accusing armed groups in Sweida province of systematically violating the July ceasefire agreement.

The interim ministry claimed that these factions have intensified attacks on internal security forces and humanitarian infrastructure in recent days, warning of a broader campaign to destabilize the province.

According to the statement, "organized informational, media, and sectarian campaigns aimed at inciting strife, orchestrated by rebel armed groups in the city, have not ceased."

It alleged that local fighters used rocket launchers and artillery to target government forces in multiple villages, resulting in casualties among security personnel.

The ministry also accused these groups of detaining civilians and sabotaging aid depots, stating, "All of this constitutes a violation of the de-escalation agreement they previously claimed to adhere to."

While the Interior Ministry affirmed its commitment to "protecting civilians and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid," it signaled a readiness to take further measures to confront what it described as a deliberate attempt to "sow chaos" in Sweida.

Clashes, claims, chaos

The statement follows renewed clashes on Sunday morning between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribal militias, reported by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

According to SOHR, mortar shells landed in the town of Ura, allegedly launched from a cemetery controlled by Bedouin groups. In response, Druze fighters returned fire on the launch sites, with sporadic clashes continuing.

Though no casualties were reported, residents remain gripped by fear due to the repeated shelling of civilian areas.

SOHR also documented looting in the Knaaker area and reported that security forces had opened fire on civilians attempting to reopen the Thala agricultural road, an artery critical for local farmers that has remained blockaded for weeks.

Despite these developments, no official explanation has been offered by security or administrative authorities on the ground, further fueling public unease.

Civil society organizations and community leaders in Sweida have responded to the government’s statement with skepticism.

Many accuse the state of fueling tensions through selective intervention, with some witnesses claiming to have seen documents suggesting that certain Bedouin factions operating in the area are linked to or supported by state authorities.

Recent protests across the province have condemned what demonstrators describe as "unprecedented atrocities" committed by transitional authority forces.