Renewed Clashes in Southern Syria Undermine Ceasefire Amid Israeli Strikes

Fighting erupted again this morning near Sweida in southern Syria, despite a ceasefire declared just a day earlier by the country’s interim government. The violence, sparked by tensions between Bedouin tribes and Druze militias, has escalated into broader clashes involving Syrian government forces, who reportedly looted homes during operations this week.

Adding to the instability, Israel launched airstrikes on the Syrian defense ministry in Damascus—the latest in a three-day campaign targeting Syrian forces and weapons near Sweida. A senior Israeli official publicly called for Syria’s interim president to be “eliminated,” while Syria condemned the strikes as violations of international law.

A UK-based war monitor estimates that over 200 people have died in the fighting.

The violence underscores the challenges facing interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad but has struggled to contain militia activity and regional unrest. Tensions in the Druze-majority Sweida region remain high, with fears of further escalation.