More than 30 people have been killed and over 100 injured in a bloody clash between local tribal military groups in the Syrian city of Sweida, predominantly inhabited by Druze. Syrian authorities had to send forces to intervene, but peace was not restored – the situation escalated. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 37 people have died, while Sweida’s National Hospital reports at least 46 killed and many wounded. Sweida, with around 1.5 million residents, is home to the largest Druze community, an ethno-religious minority linked to Shiite Islam. The conflict began when armed Druze attacked the village of Almaqous, mostly inhabited by Bedouins, attempting to free ten of their members previously captured by Bedouins. Retaliation followed immediately, and fighting spread to the main Damascus-Sweida road, involving heavy artillery and drones. Six Syrian soldiers died trying to calm the situation, and ten were wounded. The Druze spiritual leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, called for urgent international protection and accused state forces of supporting jihadist terrorists. The Druze clearly demand autonomy, as only that can ensure their survival. Syria is fragmenting, and political reconstruction seems an impossible mission. This is not just a conflict; it’s a picture of a state’s collapse and chaos spreading like wildfire. What do you think? Can Syria ever be a state again, or is it lost forever in this whirlpool of violence? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s for peace and who’s for chaos!
