Syria to probe violence in Sweida province

Damascus has vowed to investigate the source of the recent clashes in southern Syria, announcing a committee that could bring those responsible to justice.

Violence broke out in Syria’s Sweida province on July 13 between local Druze militia members and Bedouin fighters. Syrian government forces were sent in to break up the fighting, but soon became embroiled in the violence. Israel launched airstrikes on the government forces shortly thereafter in a further expansion of the conflict.

Government investigators estimate that 1,400 people were killed in July as a result.

Syrian Justice Minister Muzhar al-Wais announced Thursday that members of the judiciary and military will investigate the conflict’s origins. They will also probe accusations of human rights abuses and refer suspects to the judiciary.

The committee is expected to report back to Damascus by the end of October.

July’s fighting was the second major outbreak of violence since the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime at the end of 2024. Since then, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has tried to unite the country by cleaning up rival factions and solidifying control in Damascus.

Ethnic tensions have complicated Mr. al-Sharaa’s efforts. In March, scores of Alawite minority civilians were killed by government-aligned forces following fighting with rival militias still aligned with Mr. Assad.