Israel Targets Syrian Military HQ as Sweida Violence Spirals, Over 200 Dead in 4 Days

Israel on Wednesday struck the entrance of Syria’s military headquarters in Damascus, intensifying an already volatile conflict in southern Syria where sectarian clashes have claimed more than 200 lives in just four days.

The violence in Sweida province erupted Sunday between local Druse militias and Bedouin tribal fighters, sparking fears of renewed civil unrest in a region still reeling from the ouster of longtime president Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. 

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A ceasefire attempt on Tuesday collapsed within hours, with fresh fighting reported by both Syrian authorities and independent monitors.

Sweida, a majority-Druse province bordering Jordan and near Israel, has effectively operated under self-rule since Syria’s civil war. 

After Assad’s fall, Syria’s new government, led by Ahmed al-Shara, sought to integrate regional militias into the national military. 

However, deep-rooted mistrust and past hostilities have complicated these efforts, especially in Druse areas.

The current conflict reportedly began with an alleged assault on a Druse civilian by Bedouin tribesmen, prompting retaliatory abductions and violence. 

Government troops entered the region Monday to contain the unrest, but their presence only inflamed tensions, as many Druse fighters viewed the deployment as biased or threatening.

Israel, meanwhile, has carried out multiple airstrikes in Sweida and Damascus, citing concerns over militant groups—particularly those with ties to Iran—gaining a foothold near its border. 

The strikes are also seen as symbolic protection for Israel’s own Druse minority, which shares ancestral links to communities in southern Syria.

More than 200 people have died in the fighting, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Sweida has experienced power and internet blackouts since Monday. 

Syrian state media blamed “outlaw elements” for attacking security forces and confirmed government troops returned fire.

This marks the third major episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria since Assad’s removal. In March, Alawite communities on the coast were targeted in clashes that left over 1,500 dead. 

In May, nearly 40 Druse civilians were killed near Damascus.

The government’s inability to stabilize Sweida highlights its limited control over minority regions and raises concerns that the post-Assad transition may yet unravel. 

The Interior Ministry admitted that the absence of effective governance in the area has fueled chaos, further exposing the fragility of Syria’s new political order.

As airstrikes continue and militias dig in, southern Syria is fast becoming a flashpoint for a broader regional contest—and a test for any lasting peace.