Illustrative image. (Syrian Arab News Agency)
Tensions remain high in the southern Syrian governorate of al-Suwayda as of July 22, with reports of ongoing clashes in the countryside and more war crimes.
The clashes are focused in the town of Umm al-Zaytun in the northern countryside of al-Suwayda. Tribal forces, reportedly including troops from Syria’s Islamist-led government, maintain a presence within the town. However, Druze fighters have so far managed to prevent them from advancing towards the key town of Shahba to the south.
While the ceasefire announced by the United States four days ago failed to bring peace to the countryside of al-Suwadya, the situation in the city, which is controlled by the Druze, remains calm.
The battle in al-Suwaday is clearly still far from being over. More videos documenting war crimes committed by government and tribal forces continue to surface online. The videos mostly show the execution of Druze civilians. Some of the victims were set on fire or even decapitated.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the battle in al-Suwayda, which broke out exactly a week earlier, has so far claimed the lives of at least 1,265 people, including 194 Druze civilians who were executed by government forces. The real death toll is likely much higher.
Major differences remain between the two sides. The government is still determined to deploy its forces in all of al-Suwadya. On the other hand, the spiritual leadership of the Druze wants all government forces to withdraw from the governorate.
Meanwhile, Israel, which intervened in support of the Druze at the start of the battle, appears to have its own agenda. It is either using the Druze to mount more pressure on the Syrian government, hoping for even more concessions, or more blatantly looking to divide the war-torn country.
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