Violent clashes erupted between Druze groups and Syrian security forces in the southern Syrian province of Suwaida on Thursday night/Friday morning.
The fighting took place in the areas of Majdal, Naql, Tell Hadid, Tha'la, Najran, Ara, Atil, and Salim in the western Suwaida countryside, according to sources who spoke to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
The sources reported that the clashes resulted in injuries among government forces, as well as deaths and injuries among the Druze National Guard militia. The fighting continued, with both sides sending military and security reinforcements to the battlefronts.
Meanwhile, the official Syrian news agency SANA, citing a security source, reported after midnight on Thursday that "outlaw groups are targeting the towns of Walgha, Tell al-Aqra', Tell Hadid, and al-Mazra'a in the Suwaida countryside with mortar shells and heavy machine guns."
The Al-Ekhbariah news channel quoted the Internal Security Forces Command in Suwaida as saying that "rebel groups in Suwaida have renewed their ceasefire violations for the third consecutive day, shelling positions in the province's countryside, resulting in injuries among security forces."
The Command emphasized that "these repeated ceasefire violations are the responsibility of the rebel groups and those working to destabilize the province," noting that "Internal Security Forces thwarted several attempts by these groups to advance from multiple axes."
For its part, the "Men of Dignity Movement," affiliated with the National Guard, stated through its official channels that "its 104th Brigade, also part of the National Guard, has deployed reinforcements to the town of Majdal and the western axes in Suwaida," following what the movement described as "treacherous attacks carried out by armed groups affiliated with the General Security Directorate, using drones and heavy machine guns, targeting civilian sites."
For his part, the governor of Suwaida, Mustafa al-Bakour, stated in a Telegram post that "some undisciplined armed factions attacked conflict resolution points and internal security forces today in an attempt to destabilize security and stability in the western and northern countryside of Suwayda."
Al-Bakour added that "these actions reflect nothing but narrow interests and a tendency towards chaos and looting, far removed from the values of the province and its people," calling on residents to "stand against these practices and prevent anyone who tries to tamper with people's security or manipulate their fate."
Al-Bakour emphasized that "security and stability are a collective responsibility, and protecting society is the duty of every honorable individual," adding: "Enough with your manipulation and exploitation. The homeland is greater than your delusions, and the people of Suwayda are too noble to be deceived by your destructive schemes."
In the same context, the Director of Security in the city of Suwaida, Suleiman Abdul-Baqi, stated in a Facebook post that "for the third day, gangs and militias affiliated with the National Guard are still violating the ceasefire and targeting areas where Internal Security Forces are present in the province."
He added that "the instructions from the Internal Security Commander in the province are firm: to respond only to the sources of fire after verifying, photographing, and documenting the violation."
Abdul-Baqi called on "our civilian population and the honorable factions whose concern is defending their land and honor" not to be swayed by "rumors and lies" about the security forces violating the ceasefire or targeting civilians. He emphasized that "these reports are false" and that the security forces are "aware of any location where clashes occur."
He stressed that "the Internal Security Forces are committed to maintaining the safety and security of civilians, protecting them, and preventing escalation to ensure their safety." He added, "There is no guarantor for us or for you other than the Syrian state in establishing security and stability in the province." He concluded by saying, "Blood only begets more blood, and sedition is worse than killing. Our hands are extended to the honorable."
Similar clashes erupted last Saturday, resulting, according to sources speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, in the death of one member of the Internal Security Forces and injuries to others, following confrontations with armed groups affiliated with the National Guard.
The intensity of clashes between the two sides has escalated in recent weeks, amid rising tensions since the bloody confrontations that rocked the province last July, leaving dozens dead and wounded on both sides.
Since the fall of the former Syrian regime late last year, Suwaida has been experiencing a security and political vacuum, which has contributed to widening the rift between security forces and local armed groups.
With Al-Araby Al-Jadeed
Zaman Al Wasl
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