What role is Israel playing in the clashes between Druze and Bedouins in Syria?

Israel has demanded southern Syria be demilitarized. This has had the result of creating a vacuum in southern Syria. The government claims that it wants to protect civilians and restore order.

Clashes in Syria between the Druze minority in Sweida and Bedouin tribesmen are the latest in a series of similar confrontations that have taken place since Syria’s new government came to power in December 2024, replacing the Assad regime.

The Druze in Syria have often sought to maintain some of their own autonomy in their region, a trend that increased during the Syrian civil war.

The recent clashes have led Israel to carry out overflights in southern Syria, according to local witnesses in the country.

In addition, reports said that the IDF had targeted armored vehicles in Syria amid the clashes. This is not the first time that has happened. In fact, this is at least the third time in the last six months that this similar cycle has played out.

In essence, the way the cycle works is like this: Druze clash with local Arabs. Usually several people or up to a dozen people are killed, with victims on both sides. The government forces try to intervene. Typically, government forces oppose the armed Druze fighters who have also arrived on the scene. Israel then also threatens to intervene and sometimes carries out airstrikes or threats. Subsequently, the government says it has come to an agreement with the Druze. Commonly, the agreement is supposed to have the Druze accept government control. Generally, nothing changes, and in a month or two, there are new clashes.

The Druze in southern Syria are armed with light weapons, such as rifles. They also possess other munitions and various types of military vehicles. These are leftovers from the Assad era.

The Druze served in the regime’s military like other Syrians, however, they also sought to arm themselves to protect their own interests. Most Druze live in the area of Sweida, also called Jebel Druze or Druze Mountain.

The Druze have been wary of jihadist groups and persecution. Therefore, they have tended to prefer the Assad regime as long as it didn’t oppress them too much. The regime was dominated by the Alawite minority and often tried to play groups off against each other in Syria. As such, the Druze were used by the regime. Druze in Israel and Lebanon also try to balance their interests with the state, achieving the same types of local autonomy while serving in the armed forces.

What this means is that the Druze minority in Syria tends to be well armed and assertive. It also appears to be suspicious of other groups that may chafe against their autonomy, such as Bedouin and other Sunni Arab groups. According to North Press, a Syrian media outlet in eastern Syria, “a Druze militia, early on Monday, held the Syrian transitional government responsible for the recent escalation and violent clashes in Sweida Governorate, southern Syria.”

The report goes on to note that “In a statement, the Men of Dignity movement, a self-defense militia established after the outbreak of the Syrian war to defend Sweida Governorate, called for de-escalation while emphasizing the mobilization of its members to defend the region.” The statement read, “This dangerous tension the governorate is witnessing serves no party but rather threatens civil peace and paves the way for a state of chaos we reject for our people and our country.”

The Druze claim that the government has not secured the road between Sweida and Damascus. The report claims 100 people have been killed and wounded.

“We hold the Syrian government primarily responsible for the current situation,” the statement noted, “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.”

It also says “Sweida 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.”

Syria’s government believes a power vacuum has led to this chaos.

Clashes come after Israel demands southern Syria demilitarized

Israel has demanded southern Syria be demilitarized. This has had the result of creating a vacuum in southern Syria. The government claims that it wants to protect civilians and restore order.

“The [Syrian] 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 report said.

The Syrian Defense Ministry “confirmed Monday the institutional vacuum that accompanied the outbreak of clashes in Sweida Governorate has worsened the state of chaos, in addition to the inability of official security or military institutions to intervene, which hindered the efforts exerted to calming down the situation there,” Syrian state media noted.

“We have followed with deep sadness and concern the bloody developments Sweida province has witnessed over the past two days, which left more than 30 deaths and nearly 100 injuries in a number of neighborhoods and towns,” the ministry said.

“In coordination with the Interior Ministry, we have deployed specialized military units to the affected areas, providing safe passages for civilians,” the report noted.

The difficulty in resolving these issues will mean continued clashes are likely. The Druze will not want to hand over their weapons to the new government.

The role of Israel is complex.

The IDF has said in recent weeks that it has captured two cells near the Golan that were linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The IDF has also carried out recent operations on Mount Hermon. These are areas the IDF moved to when the Assad regime fell.

Some argue the IDF should intervene more in Syria. On the other hand, that could lead to more chaos in southern Syria.

Iran and other enemies could exploit the chaos. Israel has held behind-the-scenes talks with Damascus, according to numerous foreign reports in recent months. Additionally, the US has supported the new Syrian government. Stability is the preferable option going forward. For that to happen, the Druze and Damascus will need to reach an agreement.