From Clashes to Truce in Syria

July 21st, 2025
Dhruv Arun

Syrian security forces are deploying in the restive province of Suwayda after days of communal fighting in which hundreds of people have been killed, the country’s interior ministry says. Clashes between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes have continued in Suwayda since last week, threatening the stability of the government in Damascus as it tries to exert control over Syria’s complex and volatile sectarian landscape. The violence prompted Israel to carry out strikes against Syrian government forces, which it said were to protect the Druze—a significant minority in both countries. Israel began attacking on Wednesday, carrying out heavy air attacks on Suwayda and Syria’s capital, Damascus, claiming it was to protect the Druze community after some members of the minority group accused government forces of abuses against them. Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Dean Baba said that, “Following the bloody events caused by outlaw groups…Internal Security Forces have begun deploying in Suwayda province as part of a national mission with the primary goal of protecting civilians and restoring order.” The city of Suwayda, located in the province’s west, has now been, “cleared of all tribal fighters, and clashes within the city’s neighbourhoods have been brought to a halt,” according to the Interior Ministry.

A short while later, Syria’s Government declared what it called an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in the province, calling on everyone to allow the state “to implement this ceasefire responsibly, ensuring stability and halting the bloodshed.” The announcement on Saturday came after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ordered a new ceasefire between Bedouin and Druze groups following a separate United States-brokered deal to avert further Israeli military attacks on Syria. In a televised statement Saturday, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that events in Suwayda had “marked a dangerous turning point in Syria’s security and political landscape.” He condemned Israel’s attacks, saying it “pushed the country into a dangerous phase that threatened its stability.” Al Sharaa also added that, “Syria is not a playground for separatism or sectarian incitement. Now more than ever, it is essential to return to the path of reason and come together on a unified national foundation.”

After US mediation aimed at ending the violence and halting Israeli airstrikes, al-Sharaa thanked the Trump administration for its “commitment to the country’s stability.” The US envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, announced that Syria and Israel had agreed to a new ceasefire in Suwayda. Jordan hosted talks with Syria and the US on efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in Suwayda. The fighting broke out last week when the abduction of a Druze truck driver on a public highway set off a series of revenge attacks, resulting in tribal fighters from all over the country streaming into Suwayda in support of the Bedouin community there. Bedouin groups represented by the Southern Tribes Gathering said they were declaring “an immediate and comprehensive cessation of all military actions,” and called for “channels for dialogue and coordination to ensure that what happened does not recur.” Hikmat Al Hajri, a prominent spiritual leader, has called for all Bedouin fighters to be escorted safely out of Suwayda. The Bedouin factions said in a statement, “Following consultations with all members of Suwayda’s clans and tribes, we have decided to adhere to the ceasefire, prioritise reason and restraint, and allow the state’s authorised institutions the space to carry out their responsibilities in restoring security and stability.” According to Syria’s Health Ministry, the death toll from fighting in the Druze-majority city is now at least 260. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said it had documented the deaths of at least 321 people in Suwayda since last Sunday, when clashes began. More than 87,000 people have also been displaced.

Countries around the world also called for the truce to be upheld. The United Kingdom’s foreign secretary, David Lammy, said in a post on X that he was horrified by the violence in southern Syria and that “a sustainable ceasefire is vital.” France stressed the need for “Syrian authorities to ensure the safety and rights of all segments of the Syrian people.” Additionally, Japan urged all parties “to exercise maximum restraint, preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and national unity, and respect its independence and sovereignty.”

Extemp Analysis by: Ty Tan

Question: What does the fragile ceasefire in Syria’s Suwayda province reveal about the region’s long-term stability?

AGD: A heart story is best here, as it's topical and connects back to Syria’s wider issue of instability. Though, I think the end of your heart story should end on a hopeful note of peace.

Background: The background should follow a logical progression, helping the judge understand what’s changed in Syria in the past 6 months and why the conflict in Suwayda could reveal endemic instability. I would focus on:

Syria Post-Assad and what it meant for ending the civil war
The continued underlying tensions and conflict between tribal and ethnic groups
How the ceasefire’s fragility could reveal endemic issues about Syria

Answer: Endemic instability, but a road toward peace

Tribal Conflict
Diplomatic Bargaining
Ethnic Coalition Development

Analysis + Concluding Thoughts

The changes happening in Syria are moving toward a negotiated peace, but constantly see shifts that can hurt that stability. In terms of this question, the ceasefire and its fragility have clear implications. One, it shows the signs of endemic tribal conflict that can undermine the ceasefire to begin with. Two, it shows signs of diplomatic bargaining that demonstrate a desire to find peace in the country. Lastly, the ceasefire is part of a wider movement by HTS to make sure every ethnic group in the region is represented in a new government. Resolving and creating ceasefires around certain conflicts stabilizes and helps the country as a whole.