File image.
Heavy clashes broke out between the forces of the Islamist-led Syrian Transitional Government (STG) clashed and the Druze National Guard in the southern governorate of Suwayda over the night of July 2 and 3, resulting in casualties.
The clashes were centered around the government-held Tell Hadid, a strategic hill that overlooks the western outskirts of Suwadya city, in addition to the towns of Umm al-Zaytoun and al-Matouna in the northwestern countryside of the governorate.
In a statement, the National Guard accused STG forces of violating the ceasefire in al-Suwayda by targeting the city with heavy weapons and drones, describing the attack as a “dangerous escalation and direct aggression.”
The guard added that its forces dealt with the government’s attack “according to the rules of engagement,” without elaborating.
Meanwhile, state broadcaster Alikhbariah TV reported that “rebel gangs” attacked Internal Security Forces positions around Tell Hadid.
Citing a local source, the broadcaster said that two Druze fighters were killed and 16 others injured. No casualties among the security forces were immediately reported.
The deaths of two people were confirmed by the United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which reported that up to 20 others — not just 16 — were wounded. Other news outlets confirmed that the two killed were members of the National Guard and said the number of wounded could be as high as 60, with civilians making up the bulk.
The National Guard was formed by Druze armed factions under the direction of the community spiritual leader in Syria, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, in August of last year, little over a month after the end of a deadly attack by STG forces and allied Bedouin fighters on Suwayda.
The battle in July claimed the lives of over 3,000 people, at least third of whom were Druze civilians. Hundreds others were reportedly abducted. Israel intervened at the time to protect the Druze, citing historic ties with its own Druze community. The battle ended with a United States-brokered ceasefire.
More than 30 Druze towns in the northern and western countryside of al-Suwayda are still held by the STG, which continue to impose a partial blockade on the governorate.
The latest clash was the most serious in several months. It followed reports of a planned STG attack on Suwayda, along with claims that the National Guard is planning to recapture towns in the western countryside of the governorate.
Israel has renewed its commitment to protecting the Druze in Syria multiple times in recent months. Nevertheless, the escalation by the STG suggests that Damascus is no longer as concerned about this as it was before. For example, government forces used artillery in the latest clash, despite Israel’s warnings against deploying such heavy weapons in southern Syria.
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