Syrian official media announced on Tuesday that ten members of the Internal Security Forces were wounded in night clashes with local armed groups in the Druze-majority Suwayda Governorate, the day after two civilians were killed in similar confrontations west of the city. These developments come at a time when the new authorities in Damascus are seeking to extend their control over the entire country, while Suwayda remains the last area outside of its influence.

Published on: 01/09/2026 - 10:03 Last updated: 01/09/2026 - 10:06

Syrian official media reported that ten members of the Internal Security Forces were injured in clashes on Monday night with local armed groups in Suwayda, which has a Druze majority, in southern Syria.

This came the day after two civilians were killed in clashes between local armed groups and government forces west of the city of Suwayda, according to what two local security sources reported to Agence France-Presse.

Syrian official television reported that "the number of casualties among members of the security forces rose to 10 as a result of outlaw groups targeting points in the Tal Hadid area and the Walgha axis in the western countryside of Suwayda." State television had earlier reported a toll of four wounded.

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Local armed groups control Suwayda

The city of Suwayda and other parts of the Southern Governorate are under the control of local armed groups, and they are the last areas outside the control of the new Syrian authorities, which seek to extend their influence over the entire country after the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

Among these groups is the "National Guard" group affiliated with the Druze Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri.

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In a statement published on the Facebook platform on Monday, the group accused government forces of “firing a number of mortar shells and random shots from 23 mm machine guns at the western axis of the city, and in more than one direction, with the aim of causing harm among civilians,” adding that a child was injured as a result.

She said: “Our points stationed on the axis deal with the sources of launch by appropriate means,” warning that “these attacks will not pass without an appropriate response to ensure the security of the mountain and the safety of its people.”

A bloody sectarian background

In July 2025, Suwayda Governorate witnessed acts of violence on a sectarian background, resulting in the deaths of more than two thousand people, including 789 Druze civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

An official investigation committee formed by the authorities documented the killing of at least 1,760 people, according to a report presented in March. The violence included violations and field executions against Druze, according to survivors and human rights organizations.

The latest dispute between the two sides occurred on Saturday after armed groups prevented students from going to government-controlled areas to take official exams.

France 24/AFP

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