A week after fierce intercommunal fighting erupted in Syria‘s southern Sweida province, a tense calm has descended on the region. Syrian government forces now maintain a heavy presence across the province following a ceasefire agreement, though lingering hostilities and mutual distrust between Druze and Bedouin communities continue to cast uncertainty over the truce’s durability.

The violence began on July 13, when an altercation at a makeshift checkpoint in Sweida city escalated into armed confrontation. According to multiple reports, a Bedouin tribesman allegedly assaulted a Druze vegetable vendor, sparking outrage in the predominantly Druze neighborhood. The incident tapped into long-standing local grievances between the nomadic Sunni Bedouins and the Druze religious minority, who have historically maintained parallel systems of self-defense and governance in the area.

As the unrest intensified, the Syrian government forces dispatched forces to Sweida beginning July 14 to restore order. While Damascus imposed a citywide curfew and announced patrols, Druze factions accused military units of favoring Bedouin groups, leading to confrontations that further fueled the violence. By July 15, one ambush reportedly left more than 30 people dead, including Syrian security personnel.

Amid the internal confrontations, Israel carried out targeted airstrikes against Syrian military assets near Sweida. According to reports, Israeli aircraft struck tank convoys in the Smai area and a government installation near Al-Mazra’a. Israeli officials described the strikes as defensive moves intended to deter threats to the Druze community across the border.

In a statement following the attacks, Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa condemned the airstrikes as a violation of sovereignty. “These actions risk dragging the region into a broader and more dangerous phase,” he warned.

As the fighting engulfed the province, the civilian toll grew rapidly. Within days, over 300 people had been killed, according to monitors. Humanitarian agencies estimate that more than 87,000 residents fled their homes in Sweida province after July 12. Jordan, sharing a border with the region, responded by reinforcing military checkpoints and restricting cross-border movement. Officials in Amman rejected proposals to open humanitarian corridors, citing security concerns.

By July 19, a U.S.-mediated ceasefire went into effect. As part of the arrangement, Syrian government forces established new checkpoints along key transport routes, while Bedouin fighters agreed to vacate Druze-majority settlements under a 48-hour withdrawal window. Despite these conditions, Druze leaders continued to accuse government forces of turning a blind eye to attacks on their communities.