Local Bedouin witnesses in Suwayda reported that armed groups carried out violations—including killings and forced displacement—against civilians from Bedouin tribes in several villages across the province.

These incidents occurred hours after the withdrawal of Syrian Ministry of Defense forces. The local monitoring group Alraased Network documented several violations during the pullback, including home raids, shootings, and civilian casualties. In response, the Ministry of Defense issued a directive to all military units instructing them to prevent such abuses.

State Media “SANA”: Casualties and Forced Displacement

The official Syrian news agency SANA reported today that “outlawed groups” attacked al-Maqous neighborhood, committing massacres and violations against civilians.

According to SANA, these groups “stormed the area, carried out field executions, and committed atrocities against women, children, and members of local tribes and Bedouin communities,” resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

The agency also reported forced displacement, citing local sources who described a mass exodus of Bedouin families from rural Suwayda amid threats of violence. Social media posts—unverified by Enab Baladi—showed images and videos of families, including women and children, camping in the open outside Suwayda villages.

Enab Baladi spoke with residents from affected areas. Badr al-Bakkar, a relative of individuals trapped in villages since early Thursday morning, said “armed Druze groups” raided the villages of Shahba, Rimat al-Lahf, and Buraykah, breaking into and burning down homes.

He said those who managed to escape fled west toward Daraa but were left stranded without transportation or shelter. “They’re in danger of being caught by the armed groups,” he added.

Voice notes circulating on local community groups warned of abuses allegedly committed by local Suwayda factions. While Enab Baladi could not independently verify the recordings, they reflect the growing panic.

Anwar al-Abdullah, a resident of Buraykah, told Enab Baladi that an “armed Druze group” arrived at his village and ordered residents to leave. After fleeing, they were fired upon, resulting in the deaths of around 20 people, including women, he claimed.

Speaking from near the town of Ariqa in Suwayda, al-Abdullah said he is trying to reach Daraa and fears being ambushed on the way. He appealed to the Syrian government to secure safe passage for his group.

Reports of Looting and Burning

Tensions in Suwayda erupted after a series of mutual kidnappings between local factions and tribal groups near the province’s border. The confrontations escalated into armed clashes, prompting intervention by Syrian Ministry of Defense and Interior forces.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), at least 169 people have been killed—including five children and six women—and over 200 injured in Suwayda since July 13.

In a statement shared with Enab Baladi, SNHR said the data was verified using initial reports and cross-checked sources as of Wednesday afternoon, July 16. The network said the violence includes extrajudicial killings, shelling, and Israeli airstrikes.

The withdrawal of Syrian Ministry of Defense forces came after Israeli airstrikes targeted army and security positions in Suwayda and Daraa, as well as the Ministry of Defense building and the vicinity of the Tishreen and People’s Palaces in the capital, Damascus.”

While the Damascus government reached multiple ceasefire agreements with local leaders and Druze spiritual authorities, one prominent religious leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, reportedly rejected the deal.

In a televised address early Thursday, Syrian Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced that responsibility for maintaining security in Suwayda would be handed over to local factions and Druze sheikhs, following the army’s withdrawal.