Clashes resume in Syria's Druze city of Sweida after ceasefire announcement

Clashes have resumed in the southern Syrian city of Sweida just hours after a ceasefire was announced between government forces and local Druze fighters. According to reports from local media outlet Sweida24, the renewed violence broke out early on Wednesday, with heavy shelling targeting the city and surrounding villages. Residents described intense artillery and mortar fire, leading to widespread panic and renewed displacement in the predominantly Druze area.

The breakdown of the fragile truce comes amid heightened tensions that have rocked Sweida in recent weeks. Local armed groups, many of whom claim to be defending their communities from government overreach, had reportedly agreed to a temporary halt in hostilities. However, accusations of violations on both sides quickly undermined efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Syria’s Defence Ministry, via the state-run SANA news agency, accused “outlaw groups” within Sweida of violating the ceasefire. It claimed that government forces were only responding to provocations and armed attacks coming from within the city. Activists on the ground have pushed back against this narrative, saying the government used the ceasefire as a pretext to regroup and launch new attacks.

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This latest round of fighting underscores the fragile nature of Syria’s internal security, particularly in regions like Sweida that have long had a tense relationship with Damascus. The city, which has historically stayed out of the full-scale conflict gripping other parts of Syria, has seen growing unrest over political marginalization, worsening economic conditions, and security crackdowns.

Despite a ceasefire agreement announced less than a day earlier, the city of Sweida and nearby villages have been subjected to renewed shelling by Syrian government forces. According to eyewitnesses and local monitoring groups, the bombardment began in the early hours of Wednesday, triggering fresh concerns over civilian casualties and a potential return to widespread conflict in the region.

The Druze-majority city, located in southern Syria near the Jordanian border, has increasingly become a flashpoint as local fighters often made up of armed civilians clash with government troops. The origins of the current escalation stem from growing discontent among Sweida’s population, which has long demanded greater autonomy, improved services, and an end to what they see as political repression from Damascus.

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While the ceasefire had raised hopes for a peaceful resolution, it quickly unraveled. Government sources blamed rebel groups for initiating hostilities, but local leaders accused Damascus of launching preemptive strikes that undermined the truce.

The United Nations and various international observers have urged all parties to return to negotiations and avoid actions that could lead to greater suffering for civilians. Human rights groups warn that renewed violence in Sweida could further destabilize southern Syria, which has until recently remained more stable than the war-torn north.

As both sides trade accusations, civilians in Sweida face rising danger and uncertainty. The situation remains fluid, with no clear indication of whether talks will resume or if the region is bracing for a prolonged conflict once again.

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