FILE PHOTO
DAMASCUS: Sectarian violence intensified on Saturday in Syria’s predominantly Druze region of Sweida, as machine gun fire and mortar shelling echoed across the area amid the government’s faltering attempts to enforce a ceasefire.
Media reports on the ground in Sweida city confirmed hearing sustained gunfire and witnessed mortar shells landing in nearby villages. The latest escalation follows several days of bloodshed and comes as a significant blow to Islamist-led government efforts to restore calm in the restive southern province.
Local residents reported panic and displacement, with families fleeing front-line neighborhoods to seek safety in more secure areas. “It’s the worst fighting we’ve seen in years,” said a resident who asked not to be named for security reasons.
The clashes have erupted between local Druze militias and government-aligned Islamist factions, stoking fears of a broader sectarian conflict. Tensions have been building for months over political marginalization and economic grievances, but the recent violence marks a sharp and dangerous turn.
Government forces have reportedly deployed reinforcements to the region in an effort to contain the violence, but the ceasefire talks have so far failed to produce results. Local community leaders have urged Damascus and international actors to intervene and mediate before the situation deteriorates further.
Sweida, a region that had largely remained insulated from the worst of Syria’s civil war, is now facing a potential crisis. Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms about the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire and are calling for immediate access to deliver aid and medical assistance.
As of now, there have been no official figures released regarding casualties, but the situation on the ground remains tense and fluid.
