Sweida

Israel must stop Damascus from absorbing Sweida - opinion

Damascus’s plan for Sweida could reshape Israel’s northern frontier.

|ByAMINE AYOUB
A drone view shows the remains of a destroyed tank, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.
Members of the military police stand near a bus carrying released detainees during a prisoner exchange between the Syrian government and Druze factions, in Sweida, Syria, February 26, 2026.

US efforts helped pave way for Syria-Druze deal, source tells 'Post'

Months of US diplomacy paved the way for a historic detainee swap between Damascus and the Druze of Sweida, marking a breakthrough in Syrian peace efforts.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian security forces walk together along a street, after clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday, in Sweida, Syria July 16, 2025.

Damascus, Druze forces exchange prisoners after Sweida violence

The swap involved Damascus releasing 61 prisoners from the Druze factions detained in Adra Central Prison near the capital.

|ByREUTERS
A Syrian man takes up arms at a gasoline station in a frontline village on January 23, 2026 in Sweida, Syria.

Syrian government, Druze renew participation in new US-backed talks - report

Reports say that a prisoner deal in Sweida could pave the way for a deal that resolves the crisis with Damascus and provides locals with administrative and security powers.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

A witness to the apocalypse: Sweida atrocities will stay with me forever - opinion

What will become of Sweida is now a global responsibility.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026ByL. CHNEIF
PEOPLE STAND inside a destroyed home in Sweida, Syria, that had been targeted in a massacre of Druze villages in the area by Syrian forces.

Syria's future: Can Ahmed al-Sharaa reconcile democracy, Islam, and minority rights? - opinion

Ahmed al-Sharaa clearly does not believe his twin aspirations are mutually incompatible, though they may be. Where is an Islamic state that is truly democratic?

FEBRUARY 9, 2026ByNEVILLE TELLER
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivers a speech on the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad's fall, in Damascus, Syria December 8, 2025.

Damascus acting with US backing to control Jabal al-Druze in southern Syria, official says - KAN

Citing the official, KAN reported that American support is conditional on Sharaa's actions not harming Israel's national security. 

JANUARY 25, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
People stand next to a destroyed tank turret, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.

Syrian Kurds are fighting for survival – and Israel’s future is tied to theirs - opinion

Northern Syria is collapsing into chaos, and unless the West acts, the Kurds will pay the price.

JANUARY 20, 2026ByPAUSHALI LASS
Conoco gas plant after it came under the control of the Syrian government following the withdrawal of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in the countryside of Deir al-Zor, Syria, January 19, 2026.

Jordanian army strikes near Sweida after intercepting arms, drugs smugglers near border

The Jordanian Armed Forces carried out airstrikes near Sweida, Syria, targeting smuggler factories used for operations into Jordan, after coordination with "regional partners."

DECEMBER 24, 2025ByJAMES GENN
Jordanian troops ride their military vehicles during a parade at a ceremony to celebrate the country's 74th Independence Day within a limited number of activities amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Amman, Jordan May 25, 2020; illustrative.

Druze claim Syrian gov't attack in Sweida, as clashes between Syrian army, SDF de-escalate - report

Syrian Druze militias were attacked by troops allegedly linked with the Syrian government in the Sweida region, while clashes were reported in northern Syria, according to Syrian media.

DECEMBER 23, 2025ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERS
A druze fighter stands at a roundabout draped with the Druze flag and a portrait of a local leader, in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida in southern Syria, in July, after a ceasefire in the southern province halted a week of sectarian bloodshed.

Israeli Druze leader seeks US security guarantees for Syrian minority

"We hope that the United States, President Trump, and America as a great power, we want it to guarantee the rights of all minorities in Syria," Israeli Druze leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif urged.

DECEMBER 10, 2025ByREUTERS
Leader of the Druze community in Israel Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif speaks with Reuters at his house in Julis, northern Israel March 13, 2025.

Israeli Druze doctor builds secret medical lifeline for besieged Sweida - exclusive

MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS: The Israeli Druze physician who organized the smuggling of medical supplies from Damascus to Sweida amid a massacre.

DECEMBER 4, 2025ByDARCIE GRUNBLATT
Body bags lie at Sweida National Hospital, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, in Syria’s predominantly Druze city of Sweida in July.

Clashes in Syria’s Homs show Damascus still can’t control tensions - analysis

Deadly clashes in Syria’s Homs province have renewed fears over state control and minority safety, as Bedouin fighters targeted Alawites and authorities imposed extended curfews.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Members of Syria's security forces stand guard by the New Clock Tower in central Homs, ahead of Eid al-Adha, the Muslim feast of sacrifice, late on June 4, 2025.

Syrian security forces arrested over participation in July's Sweida violence, cm'tee confirms

Syria committee into the investigation of July's violence issued a statement on Sunday, which also found there is no proof that "foreign fighters" participated in the Druze-Bedouin clashes.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025ByJAMES GENN
People hold a Druze flag, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.