WALGHA, July 19: At least 718 people have been killed in Syria’s southern province of Sweida over the past week, marking one of the deadliest outbreaks of sectarian violence in recent years, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Britain-based war monitor reported on Saturday that the toll includes 146 Druze fighters and 245 civilians, of whom 165 were “summarily executed by personnel of the defence and interior ministries.” The violence has also claimed the lives of 287 government troops, 18 Bedouin fighters, and three Bedouin civilians who were allegedly executed by Druze fighters. Additionally, 15 government soldiers were killed in Israeli airstrikes earlier in the week.
Sweida, a heartland of Syria’s Druze minority, has been gripped by intense clashes since Sunday. The violence prompted swift domestic and international responses, including airstrikes by Israel targeting Syrian defence ministry positions, reportedly aimed at pressuring their withdrawal from the area.
In a bid to restore order, Syrian security forces began deploying in the province on Saturday. “Internal security forces have begun deploying in Sweida province with the aim of protecting civilians and putting an end to the chaos,” said interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba in a statement on Telegram.
The escalation has triggered international concern, leading to a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Syria and Israel. Shortly after the deployment of security forces, the office of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced an "immediate ceasefire" in Sweida. The presidency urged all parties to “fully respect” the truce, which came into effect following the Israeli strikes earlier this week.
Addressing the nation in a televised speech on Saturday, President Sharaa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to minority protection amid the spiraling unrest. “The Syrian state is committed to protecting all minorities and communities in the country,” he said. “We condemn all crimes committed in Sweida.”
While the ceasefire marks a step toward de-escalation, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Observers warn that the unprecedented death toll and summary executions reflect deep-rooted sectarian tensions that could reignite unless addressed through dialogue and inclusive governance.