The Syrian Interior Ministry has announced the imposition of a curfew in the city of Sweida, southern Syria, as part of preparations for the deployment of army and security forces into the city center.

Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati, head of internal security in the Sweida Governorate, stated that the ministries of interior and defense have deployed forces that will begin entering the city to "protect civilians and restore order," following recent violent events that left dozens dead.

The curfew took effect at 8:00 am local time on Tuesday and will remain in place until further notice. Furthermore, al-Dalati urged residents to remain indoors for their safety and to prevent armed groups from using residential buildings to confront state forces.

"القوات الحكومية تحتشد على أطراف محافظة السويداء، والمرجّح أن تتجه الأمور نحو التفاوض."

الصحافي سمو جباعي #الميادين pic.twitter.com/mG9ekLYHxF

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) July 14, 2025

The brigadier general also held religious authorities and leaders of armed factions in the governorate responsible for ensuring public safety and urged full cooperation with the state to stabilize the situation in Sweida and its surroundings.

Simultaneously, the Defense Ministry’s Media and Communications Directorate claimed that Syrian Army units are continuing operations to allegedly pursue armed groups on the outskirts of the city to restore stability.

However, it is worth noting that Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, had rejected the entry of any security agencies, such as General Security and the Commission, stating that they entered the administrative borders last night under the pretext of providing protection, but instead shelled border villages and supported what he called "takfiri gangs" using heavy weaponry and drones.

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The directorate also called on residents to report any movements by these groups, noting that they are attempting to flee clashes by retreating into the city center.

City center shelled, civilians displaced

Moreover, local sources told Al Mayadeen that Sweida’s city center was targeted by mortar shells and rockets around midnight. The shelling reportedly originated from military factions affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense, stationed in the western countryside of the governorate.

The attacks caused a wave of displacement from affected neighborhoods toward the eastern parts of the city, triggering panic among civilians, particularly women and children.

Clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribal groups have left nearly 100 dead and over 200 injured, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The fighting has been concentrated around the village of Kanaker and in the towns of Thaala and al-Mazraa.

Local authorities call for cooperation with state forces

Amid the escalating situation, influential local figures in Sweida noted that the spiritual leadership of the Druze community had made extensive efforts over the past months to avoid such a confrontation by encouraging dialogue with the Syrian state. They cited the May 1 agreement as a positive step that was undermined by forces seeking chaos and instability.

The local authorities welcomed the entry of security and military forces to regain control over administrative and security institutions, calling on all armed factions in Sweida to cooperate with Interior Ministry forces and avoid any resistance. They also encouraged the organization of weapons under the supervision of official state institutions.

Additionally, they urged an immediate ceasefire to ensure civilian safety and called for renewed dialogue with the Syrian government to address the consequences of the current violence. They stressed the need to restore state institutions through cooperation with local experts and national cadres across all sectors.

Read more: Israeli airstrikes target Syrian military factions near Sweida