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Ceasefire Order Fails to Halt Fighting in Syria's Druze Heartland

This is Beirut, 19/07 17:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Syrian Bedouin and their allies fought Druze fighters in the community's Sweida heartland for a seventh day Saturday despite a ceasefire ordered by the government following a US-brokered deal to avert further Israeli military intervention. AFP correspondents reported clashes in the west of the provincial capital as Druze fighters battled ...

New Clashes Rock Syria's Druze Heartland as Tribal Fighters Reinforce Bedouin

This is Beirut, 19/07 00:10 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Sweida Syria Druze SOHR

Armed tribes supported by Syria's Islamist-led government clashed with Druze fighters in the community's Sweida heartland on Friday, a day after the army withdrew under Israeli bombardment and diplomatic pressure. The United Nations called for an end to the "bloodshed" and demanded an "independent" investigation of the ...

Arab Tribes Warn Against Spreading Sweida Conflict to Lebanon

This is Beirut, 18/07 15:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Sweida Lebanon Tribes Syria Conflict Druze

The Arab tribes of Khaldeh and Mount Lebanon released a firm statement on Friday condemning the violence in Syria’s Sweida province, describing it as a “dangerous sedition” that threatens Syria’s unity and could spill into Lebanon. In a heartfelt appeal, the tribes addressed their Syrian counterparts, especially those in Sweida and Daraa, ...

When Sweida Exposes Lebanon’s Fault Lines: What’s at Stake for the Country?

Sana Richa Choucair, 18/07 15:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Druze Sweida Syria Lebanon

Clashes between Druze groups and government forces backed by tribal militias in the Syrian city of Sweida have claimed more than 500 lives since Sunday. Alongside this unprecedented wave of violence in this southern region, several Lebanese municipalities, mostly in Druze villages, have introduced preventive measures against foreigners, especially ...

Sweida: Druze and Sunni Religious Authorities in Lebanon Issue Joint Call for Unity and Restraint

This is Beirut, 18/07 13:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Druze Sunni Sweida Unity Sectarianism

In a joint appeal for unity and restraint, Sheikh Akl of the Druze community, Sheikh Sami Abi al-Mona, and Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, emphasized on Friday the importance of preserving national and intercommunal harmony amid the escalating violence in Syria’s Sweida region. In a phone conversation, the two ...

Sharaa's Pullout From Syria Druze Heartland Exposes Shaky Leadership

This is Beirut, 18/07 12:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Syria Israel Druze Ahmad al-Sharaa

Under Israeli bombardment and diplomatic pressure, Ahmed al-Sharaa pulled troops from Syria's Druze heartland -- a move that exposes the interim leader's weakness just as he sought to assert control. Since seizing office in December after ousting longtime autocrat Bashar al-Assad, Sharaa has worked to recast himself from jihadist to statesman, ...

Syria: Bedouin Tribes Mobilize, Damascus Redeploys Troops, Israel Delivers Humanitarian Aid

This is Beirut, 18/07 11:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Syria Druze bedouin mobilization Israel

Tensions continue to rise in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida in southern Syria. A spokesperson for the Syrian Interior Ministry said that government forces were preparing to redeploy to the city of Sweida in order to put an end to the ongoing clashes between Druze and Bedouin communities. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon ...

Erdogan Accuses Israel of Using Druze as Pretext to Expand Into Syria

This is Beirut, 17/07 20:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Damascus Israel Erdogan Druze Syria Sweida

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused Israel of using the Druze minority in Syria as a pretext for expanding into the war-torn country. "Israel, using the Druze as an excuse, has been expanding its banditry into neighboring Syria over the past two days," Erdogan said in a televised speech after the weekly cabinet meeting. "I ...

Violence in Sweida: Lebanese Druze Call on International Community for Action

This is Beirut, 16/07 19:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Druze Sweida Lebanon violence

An emergency meeting in solidarity with the Druze of Sweida was held on Wednesday in the village of Sharoun, in the Aley district, at the invitation of the religious authority of the Druze community in Lebanon. Numerous dignitaries, religious leaders, and members of parliament gathered around the Sheikh Akl, Sami Abu el-Mona. In his ...

Syria Promises to Punish those who Committed Abuses in Sweida

This is Beirut, 16/07 14:35 - Reading : less than a minute

Syria Sweida Druze

The Syrian presidency vowed to punish those who committed violations against Druze-majority Sweida's residents, as government forces were accused of summary executions and other abuses by right groups, witnesses and local factions. In a statement, the presidency said they "strongly condemn these heinous acts and affirm our full commitment to ...

Violence Surges in Sweida: Syria Grapples with Sectarian Strife

Mario Chartouni, 14/07 17:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Syria Sweida Druze Violence Bedouins

The Syrian province of Sweida, home to a Druze majority, is once again gripped by sectarian violence. Deadly clashes between members of Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters have left at least 89 people dead since Sunday, according to the latest toll from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Hundreds more have been wounded, including ...

Joumblatt Calls for Calm in Sweida Under Government Authority

This is Beirut, 14/07 15:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Walid Joumblatt Sweida Druze Syria violence de-escalation

As deadly clashes continue in Syria’s Druze-majority province of Sweida between Bedouin militias and armed Druze groups, former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt called on Monday for a political de-escalation under the authority of the Syrian government. In a statement to An-Nahar newspaper, Joumblatt expressed hope for “the ...

Druze