Convoys of Syrian General Security Forces are heading to southern Syria in a new effort to de-escalate ongoing clashes between local factions in Suwayda and tribal fighters, following a fresh wave of mutual violations.

Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Daraa reported on Friday, July 18, that a security convoy has arrived in the southern region, though it remains unclear whether it intends to enter Suwayda or position itself on the city’s outskirts to separate the opposing sides.

Enab Baladi’s correspondent reported that, on Thursday evening, tribal fighters took control of the villages of al-Mazraa and Taara in the western countryside of Suwayda. The fighters are now positioned on the outskirts of the city but have not entered it.

The local news network alRased confirmed on Friday that some convoys reached the northern countryside but did not advance beyond the villages of the al-Lawa area, denying reports that fighters had entered Suwayda city.

The advance follows widespread mobilization on social media, calling on tribal fighters from various Syrian provinces to deploy to the south. Fighters—both in organized groups and individually—have converged on the area, attempting to storm Suwayda.

Tribal fighters were also accused of committing violations, including burning mostly evacuated homes in retaliation for previous abuses by local Suwayda factions against Bedouins in the western countryside.

Earlier, Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, had ordered the withdrawal of Defense and Interior Ministry forces from Suwayda to avoid an “open confrontation with Israel.” Control of the governorate was left to Druze community leaders and local factions.

The tension initially flared after a series of mutual kidnappings between tribal groups and Suwayda-based factions, which escalated into armed confrontations and drew intervention from government security forces.

While the government brokered an agreement with some local leaders and factions, others rejected it and launched counterattacks, allegedly with Israeli backing.

The security campaign led by Defense and Interior Ministry forces reportedly included abuses against both fighters and civilians. Local factions responded in kind, escalating attacks on Bedouin villages.

There are no independent casualty statistics from the latest round of violence in Suwayda. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented at least 169 civilian deaths—including five children and six women—and more than 200 injuries in a report published on July 16, prior to the latest violations by tribal fighters and the military campaign.