Fierce clashes between illegal armed groups broke out in Syria’s southern Suwayda province, leaving members of the groups and civilians wounded. According to the SANA news agency and the provincial information office, gunfire spread from the city’s eastern neighborhoods toward Suwayda’s market and other areas. A lawyer was among those injured.
Preliminary reports indicate that the dispute began as a personal quarrel at a fuel station between members of the Abu Sarhan and Radwan clans. One side opened fire on a man from the other clan and seized his car, after which the confrontation escalated into armed clashes across several neighborhoods. Syrian television also reported that outlaw groups shelled security force posts with mortars in the areas of al-Majdal and Tal Hadid in the west of the province. Earlier, on Tuesday, they had attacked Internal Security Forces posts with explosive-laden drones and prevented personnel from entering the administrative building.
The situation in Suwayda remains tense: local illegal armed groups oppose Damascus, while Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri has reportedly called for separation from Syria and described the Druze of Suwayda as “an integral part of Israel.” A ceasefire has been in effect in the province since July 2025, following a military campaign launched after bloody clashes between Druze fighters and members of Bedouin tribes. An official commission established by the Syrian authorities documented at least 1,760 deaths and submitted its report in March.
Full article: Civilians wounded in clashes between outlaw groups in Suwayda