Suwayda, Syria — July 16 2025 — Intense clashes resumed Tuesday just hours after government officials and local armed groups signed an accord aimed at ending months of violence. This new outbreak has cast doubt over its durability and raised concerns of further instability in an area once considered relatively peaceful during Syria’s decade-long civil war.
Witnesses reported heavy gunfire and shelling across multiple districts of Suwayda, a city predominantly inhabited by members of the Druze minority. Witnesses indicated that government-affiliated security forces engaged in violence with local armed factions demanding political reform, economic relief, and an end to state corruption.
“We woke up hoping for peace, but gunfire resumed around midmorning,” according to Marwan – who requested anonymity due to security reasons – a local resident. Shops have closed up shop, people are hiding in their homes, and no one knows who is truly in control.”
Druze religious leaders and community elders negotiated the ceasefire on Monday evening to end two weeks of fighting that had resulted in more than 40 civilian deaths, several dozen injuries, and thousands displaced from their homes.
However, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement.
Syria’s Interior Ministry released a statement alleging that foreign-backed “armed saboteurs” fired on government positions, prompting a defensive response. Local leaders in Suwayda alleged regime loyalists and intelligence operatives had deliberately ignited renewed violence to disrupt talks.
Suwayda stands out among other parts of Syria for having largely remained under government control while enjoying some degree of local autonomy. Over time, however, frustrations over worsening economic conditions, fuel shortages and an absence of public services has grown over time – leading to protests demanding reforms as well as an end to Bashar al-Assad’s authoritarian rule both in 2022 and again in 2023.
“This uprising in Suwayda has become part of a larger challenge to the legitimacy of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and an indicator of how fractured Syria remains,” according to Lina Khatib, senior Middle East analyst for Chatham House.
Violence continues in Suwayda while world attention is focused elsewhere – on Gaza, Ukraine, or rising tensions between Iran and Israel. Human rights groups warn that Suwayda’s crisis risks going unnoticed as civilians suffer further.
The United Nations has expressed deep concerns over the situation. “We urge all parties to immediately cease hostilities and return to dialogue,” stated Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson of the Secretary-General at U.N. in Geneva. Civilians must be protected at all costs while humanitarian access should be granted immediately.
As another day ends in Suwayda without promises being kept, many in Suwayda find themselves wondering whether peace can ever return — or whether their once peaceful city has become just another tragic chapter in Syria’s ongoing civil war.
“People of Suwayda are tired,” according to Amal, a community activist. “We don’t consider ourselves rebels or terrorists – living in dignity shouldn’t be too much to ask!”