Calm reigns Syria’s Suwayda after government forces, local groups clash
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – A cautious calm prevailed on Monday the city of Suwayda in southern Syria following fierce clashes between local armed groups and the Syrian government forces.
Suwayda 24, a local news website covering events in Suwayda, reported that the clashes resulted in injuries from both sides as well as material losses in civilian properties.
The clashes erupted after the locals protested the establishment of new security checkpoint by the government forces near the al-Anqoud Roundabout.
The clashes resulted in the injury of a militant of an armed local group, as well as several security personnel of the government forces.
Suwayda 24 reported that local mediators requested a temporary ceasefire to negotiate with the security forces to seek an agreement ensuring the evacuation of the new checkpoint, upon which the armed groups insist.
A source familiar with the negotiations told Suwayda 24 some demands were made that the Russian side guarantee the removal of the security checkpoint and to prevent the Syrian security authorities from establishing any new checkpoints.
The Druze-majority governorate of Suwayda has been witnessing anti-government protests since August 2023, demanding the overthrow of the “Syrian regime.”