MAZRAA, Syria (AP) — Renewed clashes in Sweida province have accelerated a humanitarian crisis in southern Syria, displacing tens of thousands as Syrian government forces gear up to return to the region.
The violence erupted on Sunday between Druze militias and local Sunni Bedouin tribes, leading to government intervention and a subsequent escalation that saw the forces siding with the Bedouins.
Despite a ceasefire agreement announced on Wednesday that was intended to restore peace, fighting resumed shortly afterward, prompting officials to negotiate with Druze factions for government forces to return and stabilize the area.
Although an agreement was reached, the deployment of government forces has been delayed, leaving tens of thousands still displaced and deepening the humanitarian crisis as the United Nations struggles to deliver much-needed aid due to ongoing violence.
Israel’s involvement in the conflict has added another layer of complexity. Following reports of government-affiliated fighters executing Druze civilians and looting, Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian forces to protect the Druze community, which is a significant minority within Israel and often serves in the military.
Clashes have resulted in hundreds of fatalities over just four days, exacerbating the dire circumstances for local civilians in a region where already fragile essential services have collapsed.
According to the United Nations, nearly 80,000 individuals have been displaced since the violence intensified, with services such as water and electricity in complete disarray and healthcare facilities under extreme strain.
Adam Abdelmoula, the U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator in Syria, noted significant disruptions to supply routes that have hindered aid deliveries.
As the situation on the ground remains perilous, efforts to provide critical aid and assess needs are contingent on conditions allowing for safe access to the affected areas.
Fighting has seen Bedouin groups and supporters arriving from other Syrian regions to join the fray, fueling further escalation. A man identified as Abu Mariam stated he traveled from Deir ez-Zor to support his fellow Bedouins, vowing not to return home until they defeat prominent Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri.
The Druze community, which has historical roots dating back to the 10th century, consists of roughly 1 million individuals globally, the majority of whom reside in Syria. Tensions between the predominantly Druze population and the Sunni Bedouin tribes in Sweida have flared periodically, often stemming from local disputes, with this latest outbreak of violence ignited by Bedouins’ aggressive actions against Druze individuals.
Syrian researcher Ahmed Aba Zeid characterized the tensions between these groups as lacking a specific root cause, attributing it to broader social problems exacerbated by the state’s actions. He suggests the government exploited these issues to alter the dynamics in Sweida, ultimately worsening the situation.
In a show of solidarity, members of the Druze community in Israel have called for intervention to protect their counterparts in Syria. However, leaders from the Druze community in Lebanon have opposed such involvement, fearing it may lead to increased conflict in the region.
Sheikh Sami Abi al-Muna, the spiritual leader of the Druze in Lebanon, has cautioned against seeking Israeli protection, urging instead for unity and dialogue among all factions involved to resolve the underlying issues peacefully.
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Joumblatt has echoed these sentiments, advocating for the formation of a committee to investigate violations affecting both the Druze and Bedouin communities amid the ongoing turmoil.
As the humanitarian situation deteriorates and hostilities persist, the emphasis on unity and resolution becomes vital for the future of all communities involved in this complex conflict in southwestern Syria.
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