Two civilians were killed and five others wounded after a dispute broke out in central Suwayda (southern Syria) on Thursday evening, August 6.
Local sources told Enab Baladi that the dispute was likely financial in nature before it escalated into gunfire near al-Fursan roundabout.
The incident wounded Yahya Sharaf al-Din, Laith al-Qantar, and Qusay al-Qantar with gunshots to different parts of their bodies. They were taken to the public hospital in Suwayda city.
After midnight, clashes resumed around al-Jarra roundabout as an extension of the initial incident, killing Bashar al-Zarouni and Nazir al-Arbid and wounding Lutfi al-Qantar and his son.
The reasons behind the escalation and the circumstances that led to the renewed clashes remained unknown at the time of publication.
On August 5, Suwayda city also witnessed heavy gunfire resulting from another dispute that was likewise related to a financial matter.
Repeated Tensions, Killings, and Abductions
Suwayda city is experiencing continued security instability under a local administration overseen by the so-called Administrative Council in Jabal Bashan (Suwayda), under the supervision of Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community.
The situation has resulted in cases of abduction and killing. In a previous report, Enab Baladi documented more than 20 incidents of violence from the beginning of this year through mid-May.
The city is also facing difficult economic and public service conditions due to the Suwayda administration’s break with the Syrian capital, Damascus, and the latter’s military blockade of the city.
A lawyer told Enab Baladi that deteriorating living and social conditions could, in some cases, push some individuals toward illegal behavior or the use of violence as a means of survival.
Civil activist Salam Kh. said the widespread availability of weapons and explosive materials among civilians, particularly younger age groups, reflects signs of neglect and weak community oversight amid the absence of firm measures or effective awareness campaigns.
Weak oversight of the sources selling these materials also contributes to the complexity and scale of the problem. Local information indicates that their circulation outside official channels is increasing, whether through some shops or social media platforms, without oversight of sellers or buyers. This makes the growing phenomenon more difficult to contain and increases the likelihood of similar incidents recurring, particularly among children and adolescents.
The impact of earlier tensions that developed following the events of July 2025 on the current situation also cannot be overlooked, as the proliferation of multiple undisciplined local factions contributed to weakening institutions and creating an unstable environment.
Tensions in Suwayda began in July 2025 following fighting between local factions loyal to al-Hijri and fighters from local Bedouin tribes, who were supported by government forces.
July 2025 saw violations against civilians by all sides following government intervention. Israel responded by bombing government forces that entered Suwayda and also struck the General Staff building in Damascus.
The Syrian government and Israel, which claims to stand by the Druze community, later reached a US-mediated agreement to halt military operations.
Suwayda Violence Escalates Amid Multiple Patterns and Enduring Threats