Sweida

Israel can protect Sweida’s Druze without supporting Syria’s separation - opinion

Stability in Sweida will not come from creating new borders, but from building a new relationship between Sweida and the Damascus government.

|ByGHASSAN IBRAHIM
A drone view shows the remains of a destroyed tank, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.
A schoolroom in Syria.

Sweida’s schoolchildren become pawns in Syrian political struggle over exams

Muhannad Sharrouf, a political activist from Sweida, said: “They are not merely depriving them of an exam; they are threatening their future and pushing another generation toward further loss."

|ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
A woman carries a Druze and an Israeli flag as members of the Druze community in Israel and their supporters near the US Embassy in Jerusalem to show solidarity with their community in neighbouring Syria, on July 16, 2025.

Syrian Druze leader says community is ‘inseparable part of Israel,’ hints at developments in Sweida

Al-Hijri also suggested that developments concerning Sweida could emerge “within days,” without elaborating on their nature, as the province remains the focus of intensifying diplomatic activity.

|ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Rescuers and onlookers gather at the site of a blast near Damascus August 6, 2026.

At least two killed, 14 wounded in deadly bomb attack in predominantly Druze area near Damascus

The targeted street in Jaramana is somewhat narrow and includes shops and street vendors, Imad said, as people clamored around him.

|ByREUTERS

HRW accuses Israel of war crimes in Syria over forced displacement

The Human Rights Watch claims Israel's actions amount to war crimes.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025ByTHE MEDIA LINE
AN IDF APC enters Syria at the ceasefire line (illustrative).

Syria, US, Jordan back pact to stabilize Sweida, launching transitional phase

Damascus said the agreement includes an understanding with Washington to seek security arrangements with Israel regarding southern Syria.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Members of Syrian security forces ride on a back of a truck after Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025.

Silence after Sweida: What the Druze wish for in war-torn Syria

I offer you instead the story of a single family. That is all I can give you: not a theory of Syria nor a prediction of what is to come, but the voice of one of its daughters.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025BySAMUEL J. HYDE
People hold a Druze flag, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.

Supporting the Druze vs keeping regional calm: Israel's dilemma in Syria - analysis

Experts debate whether Israel should back Druze independence, incorporate them in the defensive network, or try to avoid rocking the boat further.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025ByGIL LEWINSKY
A DRONE VIEW shows the remains of a destroyed tank, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Sweida in July.

Sweida's Druze defy Damascus in a fight over self-determination, their fate in Syria

BEHIND THE LINES: The violence in Sweida may have subsided in recent weeks, but nothing has been resolved. It is almost certainly a matter of time until the next round. 

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025ByJONATHAN SPYER
People stand next to a destroyed tank turret, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.

Syrian government captures Hezbollah cells operating near Israel

The Syrian forces confiscated missile launchers, 19 Grad missiles, anti-tank missiles, individual weapons, and large quantities of various ammunition during the operation

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A member of the Syrian security forces stands on a military vehicle after Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025

Mr. Netanyahu, save the Druze – today! - opinion

Mr. Netanyahu, the Druze have proven their loyalty to Israel through blood and service. The time has come for Israel to prove its loyalty to them. Save the Druze, today.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025ByODED J.K. FARAN
Women and children walk on land between Daraa and Sweida, Syria, July 17, 2025.

Sweida security shake-up highlights Syria’s struggle with Druze autonomy - analysis

Syria reassigns top security commanders in Sweida, aiming to calm Druze tensions as secession fears grow.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Tribal and bedouin fighters deploy in the western neighbourhood of southern Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, amid clashes with Druze gunmen on July 19, 2025.

Syria detains defense, interior ministry members suspected of Sweida violence

Izzedin declined to say how many personnel were detained, but said they were Syrian nationals who carried out the atrocities in an individual capacity.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025ByREUTERS
Syrian security forces walk together along a street, after clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday, collapsing a ceasefire announced just hours earlier that aimed to put an end to the violence, July 16 2025

Druze in Syria consolidate control - but will they seek independence? - analysis

Druze leader Hikmat al-Hijri calls for a separate region in southern Syria, seeking autonomy after sectarian violence, with Israeli support amid rising tensions in the region.

AUGUST 31, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A delegation of 100 Druze leaders from Syria visits northern Israel for the first time since 1973 on March 14, 2025. Israeli Druze proudly wave their own national flag alongside the Israeli flag in festivals and ceremonies, the writer points out.