Sweida

Sweida security shake-up highlights Syria’s struggle with Druze autonomy - analysis

Syria reassigns top security commanders in Sweida, aiming to calm Druze tensions as secession fears grow.

Tribal and bedouin fighters deploy in the western neighbourhood of southern Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, amid clashes with Druze gunmen on July 19, 2025.
 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, collapsing a ceasefire announced just hours earlier that aimed to put an end to the violence, July 16 2025

Syria detains defense, interior ministry members suspected of Sweida violence

A delegation of 100 Druze leaders from Syria visits northern Israel for the first time since 1973 on March 14, 2025. Israeli Druze proudly wave their own national flag alongside the Israeli flag in festivals and ceremonies, the writer points out.

Druze in Syria consolidate control - but will they seek independence? - analysis

 Emily Damari prepping for surgery.

Freed hostage Emily Damari meets Israeli Druze leader amid Sweida violence


Netanyahu meets with Druze leaders in Julis, pledges action on Syria’s Sweida crisis

"We are brothers. Will Israel not extend a hand to save our Druze brothers? And we acted. When I understood the magnitude of the disaster, we acted immediately."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Julis Local Council in northern Israel and met with Druze community spiritual leader Sheikh Moafaq Tarif and community MKs on August 29th, 2025.

'See the world through the eyes of a child': Tim Ballard on working to save Syria's children

Ex-DHS agent Tim Ballard is hailed by some as a hero and viewed by others as a controversial figure. During a recent trip to Syria, he took part in efforts to rescue children trapped in the conflict.

Women and children walk on land between Daraa and Sweida, Syria, July 17, 2025.

Integrating the Kurdish communit? Syria has more pressing concerns - analysis

Damascus is still trying to crack down on ISIS threats, and fund people who have returned from displaced persons camps. The gov't wants to focus on issues closer to home, such as Israel, and Sweida.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, August 6, 2025.

Inside Israel-Syria meeting in Paris: Talks on de-escalating southern Syria, IDF withdrawal

Topics included: compliance with the 1974 cease-fire agreement, violence in southern Syria, smuggling and refugees

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, in Moscow, Russia, July 31, 2025.

Syrian Druze protest waving Israeli flags, call for annexation by Israel

Footage shared on TV and social media depicted armed Druze protesters in Sweida, Syria, wearing military vests with Israeli flags, calling for self-determination.

 Syrian Druze fly Israeli flag in Sweida, July 16, 2025.

Our 'Never Again' is Now

A delegation from Na'amat, led by Hagit Pe'er, President of Na'amat Israel

The crisis in Syria's Sweida and its threat on Israel's northern border - analysis

The real question is not only whether Israel will help the Druze, but how it will do so without making them even more isolated in their homeland.

Druze leader in Sweida speaks

Meeting between Dermer, Syrian FM on Druze humanitarian corridor postponed - report

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani are now likely to meet next week, sources told N12.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer; illustrative.

US Congressman Hamadeh, Israeli Druze leader hold solidarity meeting after Syria massacres

Hamadeh, a US congressman with Muslim-Druze roots, met Sheikh Tarif in Israel to discuss security and recent attacks on Druze in Syria.

(L-R) US Congressman Abraham J. Hamadeh (R - AZ) and Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif

Can federalism save Syria from collapse? – opinion

As militias tighten their grip and minority communities demand autonomy, federalism emerges not as a theory but as Syria’s last realistic chance to survive.

 The leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces signed a deal on March 11 with Syria’s new president Ahmed al-Sharaa

Sexual violence in Sweida: A predestined chronicle of a failed response - opinion

It takes months, often years, to piece together the truth of what happened in such chaotic events. Do we wait for certainty, or do we speak now?

A DRUZE flag flutters on a street in Sweida last month. Gender-based violence has been a central feature of the atrocities unfolding in Syria; we cannot turn away from this truth, the writer affirms.