△Suwayda Province in southern Syria (stock image)
According to a report by Syrian Television on July 13, armed conflict broke out in the southern Syrian province of Suwayda on the same day, resulting in 10 deaths and 50 injuries.
The report did not mention further details about the conflict. Local hospital staff in Suwayda confirmed that the conflict had resulted in 10 deaths.
According to the UK-based Syrian Human Rights Observatory, the conflict occurred between the local Druze community and the Bedouin tribe, resulting in at least 18 deaths and 50 injuries.
The organization said that the armed conflict initially broke out in the Mukawwas area in the east of Suwayda, where the two sides engaged in heavy fighting. Residents continuously heard gunfire. The conflict then spread to the west and north of Suwayda. Local community leaders have attempted to mediate the conflict, but there is still a possibility of escalation.
The organization said that recently, there have been frequent incidents of abductions and armed attacks along the main road leading to the Syrian capital Damascus. The armed conflict was triggered by an attack and robbery on a Druze youth by members of the Bedouin tribe near a checkpoint earlier. In retaliation, Druze militants “detained” several members of the Bedouin tribe. The conflict between the two sides then escalated.
Syria experienced political instability last December and its security situation remains precarious. At the same time, due to factors such as years of civil war, there is a lack of mutual trust among different ethnic groups and religions in Syria, resulting in several violent conflicts since the political crisis began.