Last week, Israeli forces struck the Syrian defence ministry in Damascus and government forces in southern Syria. Israel said it carried out these strikes in support of Druze community, which it views as an ally and which has been involved in clashes with Syrian government troops in Suwayda, a Druze stronghold.
Syria condemned Israeli attacks, denouncing it as a “dangerous escalation,” following days of unrest in the Suwayda region. More than 350 people were reportedly killed since last Sunday (13 July), in the clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes in Suwayda. First, the Syrian government forces moved in, followed by Israel which intervened forcefully in support of Druze.
Syria’s Interior Ministry announced a new ceasefire agreement between Syrian Army and Druze fighters in Suwayda later on Wednesday, 16 July 2025. The Syrian military then begun withdrawing its forces. Syria’s news state agency, Sana, reported that troops were leaving Suweyda as part of an agreement between the government and Suweyda’s religious leaders, following the “completion of the army’s pursuit of outlaw groups”.
Sectarian flare-ups in post-Assad Syria
There have been several sectarian flare-ups in Syria since the fall of Assad regime seven months ago. In March, forces aligned with the government reportedly killed nearly 1,500 Alawites in response to a failed rebellion by Assad loyalists.
In April, dozens were reportedly killed in clashes between the Druze, security forces and allied Islamist fighters in Damascus and Suwayda. In the wake of that fighting, the government reached an agreement with Druze militias to hire local security forces in Suwayda province from their ranks. The continued control of Suwayda by the militias sparked tensions with Bedouin tribes backed by the government.
These sectarian flare-ups have been destabilizing for the fragile post-war Syria, raising doubts about the transitional government’s ability to maintain control and safeguard the rights of minority communities. Minority groups including the Druze – whose religion is an offshoot of Shia Islam with its unique identity and beliefs – remain suspicious of Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his government despite their promises to unify and rebuild Syria and to protect the minorities, after a brutal 14-year civil war and decades of dictatorship.
Syria’s ethno-sectarian fault lines
Arabs make up the majority of the population in Syria; about 75% of all Syrian residents are Sunni Muslim. There are tensions with powerful minority groups:
- The Druze in the South; they are a small but an influential minority in both Syria and Israel. They are seen in Israel as loyal allies, with many serving in Israeli military.
- The Alawites in the West, Assad is an Alawite.
- The Kurds, who operate a semi-autonomous government in north-eastern Syria. Although the Kurds have agreed to merge with the new Syrian army, they remain sceptical of Sharaa because of his close ties to Turkiye.
- Christians – a suicide bombing at a church in Damascus last month left dozens dead.
Will Peace Return?
Ahmad al-Sharaa, a veteran of al-Qaeda, overthrew the Assad regime leading a coalition of Sunni extremist militias. Minority groups remain fearful of the intentions of the government led by Islamists and former jihadists. Syria’s new army, formed with fighters drawn from former extremist groups, lacks the cohesion, unity, discipline and professionalism of a regular army
External Actors
While the US would like peace, the new regional power Israel insists on the complete demilitarization of Suwayda and two other southern provinces. It has repeatedly attacked government troops and facilities on the pretext of defending the Druze. The Israeli military has carried out hundreds of strikes across Syria to destroy the country’s military assets since the fall of Assad regime. It has sent troops into the UN-monitored demilitarized buffer zone between Golan Heights and Syria, as well as adjoining areas and the summit of Mount Hermon.
Turkish interest in Syria is driven by security concerns, economic opportunities and regional influence. Turkiye is a strong backer of the interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa; it wants to stabilize Syria, contain Kurdish autonomy efforts and counter potential threats from groups like ISIS. Turkiye sees economic opportunities in rebuilding Syria and expanding its regional influence.
Iran – a key supporter of Assad – would like to regain some of the lost influence inside Syria.
The failure of the Syrian government to stabilize the country could also open the door for more regional interference, complicating things further. Any return of large-scale violence inside Syria also has the potential to spill beyond its borders.
Disclaimer: The article has references to open sources including BBC and Al Jazeera.