Evacuation of Bedouin families underway in Sweida after 7-day clashes

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
21 Jul 2025 12:43

A ceasefire brokered with international mediation has allowed Bedouin families to evacuate Sweida after intense clashes with Druze groups and Syrian regime forces left 1,120 dead in one week.

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A convoy of vehicles, above, loaded with food and other aid is en route to Sweida on the international highway in rural Daraa province, Syria, Sunday, July 20, 2025, heading to the city of Busra al-Sham. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

The evacuation of Bedouin families from Sweida province has begun following an agreement facilitated by Syrian regime internal security forces. The move comes after a sharp escalation in violence that has left over a thousand people dead in just one week.

Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati, head of internal security in Sweida, announced that all civilians wishing to leave the province are now permitted to do so under full protection. Syrian state television reported early Monday that “families trapped inside Sweida” have begun their departure.

Speaking to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Brig. Gen. al-Dalati emphasized that the evacuation is being carried out with safety guarantees. “We are fully committed to facilitating the departure of all those who wish to leave,” he said. “We will also allow those who wish to return to do so, as part of our continued efforts to restore stability and security to Sweida.”

He added that a security cordon had been established around the province to halt further clashes and enable the conditions necessary for reconciliation.

Both Brig. Gen. al-Dalati and his counterpart in Daraa, Brig. Gen. Shaher Imran, personally received the evacuated Bedouin families. The operation was carried out under a strong deployment of internal security units tasked with ensuring the safe exit of civilians.

Ceasefire reached

A ceasefire was formally announced on Saturday by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa following a week of intense sectarian fighting between Druze fighters, Bedouin tribal groups, and Syrian regime forces. By Sunday morning, regime troops had deployed across Sweida city to enforce the truce, and calm had largely returned to the urban center.

The ceasefire was brokered with international mediation, including efforts from the United States, Turkey, Jordan, and other regional actors. It marks the first significant reduction in violence since the outbreak of fighting.

As part of the deal, Bedouin tribal fighters and other armed factions withdrew from Sweida city, while Druze fighters regained local control. Humanitarian aid convoys began entering the city, which had been suffering from severe shortages.

Death toll reaches 1,120

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the death toll from the week-long outbreak of violence in Sweida has reached 1,120 as of Sunday evening. The organization reported that 427 Druze fighters and 298 Druze civilians were killed, among them 194 Druze reportedly executed on the spot by members of the Syrian regime's Defense and Interior Ministries. Meanwhile, 354 personnel from the Defense Ministry and General Security Directorate were also killed.

Additionally, 21 Bedouins were killed, including three civilians allegedly executed by Druze gunmen. The Observatory further noted that Israeli airstrikes during the escalation resulted in the deaths of 15 Syrian regime soldiers.

With the ceasefire in place and humanitarian corridors through Busra al-Harir and Busra al-Sham now operational, efforts are underway to de-escalate tensions. The ongoing evacuation of Bedouin families marks a significant step in stabilizing Sweida. While the situation remains delicate, the ceasefire has brought a temporary halt to violence in Sweida city.