Bedouins forcibly displaced by Druze in Syria’s Suwayda despite ceasefire

SUWAYDA, Syria / ISTANBUL

Armed Druze groups in southern Syria’s Suwayda province have reportedly forced dozens of Bedouin families to flee their homes on Thursday, despite a cease-fire agreement between local factions and the Syrian government.

According to Anadolu footage and local sources, hundreds of Bedouins were seen leaving Suwayda with their belongings and heading toward the neighboring province of Daraa. Some armed Bedouins were seen taking security precautions along the roads.

Speaking anonymously for security reasons, leaders of several Bedouin families said the situation remained tense even after the cease-fire. They reported that armed Druze factions began expelling Bedouins from villages in areas such as Shahba, Tel Luhuf, Mayamas, Kefer, Ar-Raha, Sehvt Balata, and Ufeyne, where Bedouins reside.

Many families were reportedly forced out at gunpoint, with some incidents involving killings and injuries.

Local estimates suggest that nearly one-third of the Bedouin population in Suwayda has left the region since clashes erupted last month.

Timeline of clashes and Israeli airstrikes

On June 13, clashes broke out between Bedouin Arab tribes and local Druze armed groups in Suwayda. The violence escalated, leading to deadly attacks by Druze fighters on Syrian security forces deployed in the area. Dozens of soldiers were reportedly killed.

A temporary cease-fire was reached between government forces and local Druze factions, but soon collapsed. Israeli airstrikes followed, targeting Syrian military positions and infrastructure.