Druze militia blames government for clashes in Syria’s Suwayda
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – A Druze militia held early on Monday the Syrian transitional government responsible for the recent escalation and violent clashes in Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria.
In a statement, the Men of Dignity movement, a self-defense militia established after the outbreak of the Syrian war to defend Suwayda Governorate, called for de-escalation while emphasizing the mobilization of its members to defend the region.
“This dangerous tension the governorate is witnessing serves no party,” the statement read, “but rather threatens civil peace and paves the way for a state of chaos we reject for our people and our country.”
The movement attributed the roots of the crisis to the government’s failure to secure the vital Damascus–Suwayda road, citing repeated attacks on civilians that had gone unaddressed for months and ultimately jeopardized social stability.
The statement noted that an agreement had been reached with Suwayda’s prominent figures last May to ensure the road’s security through official channels. However, “the government failed to fulfill its responsibilities, choosing instead to act as a bystander while the attacks escalated and took on a dangerous sectarian tone.”
The movement said that the latest violence—centered in the al-Maquss neighborhood and spreading to villages in the western and northern countryside—has left nearly 100 people dead or wounded, according to local figures.
“We hold the Syrian government primarily responsible for the current situation,” the statement continued, “due to its failure to maintain security, its silence in the face of repeated violations, and its tolerance of affiliated factions interfering and siding with one group over another.”
The movement reaffirmed its defensive stance, stating: “Suwayda was and will remain a land of dignity and coexistence. It will not be drawn into any sedition, but at the same time, we will not allow it to become an open arena for settling scores.”
Meanwhile, Syrian Ministry of Defense acknowledged early on Monday that an “institutional vacuum” had accompanied the outbreak of violence, contributing to the chaos and limiting the ability of official security or military forces to intervene effectively.
The ministry announced that, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, it had begun deploying specialized military units to the affected areas, establishing safe corridors for civilians, and working to quickly end the clashes.
“Our forces are committed to protecting civilians and restoring order, in accordance with the law,” the ministry stated, adding that “restoring security in Suwayda is a shared responsibility between the state and its citizens.”
The Ministry of Interior also issued a statement, attributing the worsening security situation to the absence of active state institutions and the local community’s inability to contain the crisis despite repeated calls for calm.
The ministry pledged to act jointly with the Defense Ministry to resolve the conflict, stop the clashes, and hold those responsible accountable. It called for the accelerated deployment of security forces and the launch of a comprehensive dialogue that addresses the root causes of the unrest while safeguarding the dignity and rights of all communities in Suwayda.