As Syrian tribal forces advance on Suwayda, war reporter on the ground in Syria, Abdussamed Dagül, explains the true ambitions of the Israeli-backed Druze militants and details the horrific crimes committed against the Muslim Bedouins.
Syria’s Suwayda province has become the scene of a major confrontation involving Syrian tribal forces, Israeli-backed Druze militias led by Hikmat al-Hijri, and growing Israeli intervention — all within a broader Israeli strategy to destabilise southern Syria.
The conflict began when initial clashes broke out between the Bedouin tribes and the al-Hijri Druze militants, openly supported by Israel.
The Syrian army and internal security forces initially intervened to contain the fighting but were treacherously attacked by the Israeli-backed Druze militants.
This led to direct battles in which local sources claim more than 800 Syrian soldiers and security forces were killed, compounded by Israeli drone and warplane strikes on Syrian positions.
Israel escalated further by targeting the Syrian Ministry of Defence and the People’s Palace in Damascus, and formally warned Damascus to pull its forces out of Suwayda.
These moves fit into a broader Israeli policy of keeping southern Syria — particularly areas south of Damascus — in perpetual instability, ensuring that Tel Aviv retains the pretext to intervene whenever it deems necessary.
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As part of this strategy, Israel has demanded that the Syrian government withdraw not only from Suwayda but also from Daraa province and the entirety of southern Damascus.
Israeli officials have gone further by publicly stating that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa “must be eliminated,” marking an unprecedented escalation in rhetoric against Syria’s leadership.
Additionally, Tel Aviv has revealed its intention to establish a strategic land route dubbed the “David Corridor.”
This corridor would connect southern Syria along the Jordanian border directly to the SDF/YPG-controlled territories in eastern Syria, circumventing Syrian government authority. Hikmat al-Hijri has reportedly requested the Jordanian Kingdom to open a new border crossing between Suwayda and Jordan to facilitate this plan.
Following the Syrian army’s withdrawal — under Arab-American mediation and Israeli pressure — the Israeli-backed Druze militants launched brutal attacks on the Bedouin population.
Documented atrocities included massacres, forced displacements, public executions, child beheadings, mosque bombings, victims thrown from rooftops, and the burning of homes —all proudly filmed and publicised by the perpetrators themselves.
In response, Syrian tribal forces mounted a large-scale counteroffensive, entering Suwayda city, capturing dozens of villages in the northern and western countryside, and encircling the city from three sides.
Tribal forces also freed more than 400 women and children who had been besieged in Bedouin neighbourhoods.
The scale of these atrocities prompted a general mobilisation of over 41 Arab tribes from across Syria and neighbouring regions, who declared their participation in the fight against the Israeli-backed Druze militants.
Notably, the tribal coalition issued a direct warning to the Syrian government not to intervene militarily in Suwayda.
They stressed that the current campaign is a matter of tribal honour and justice for the massacred Bedouins, and any government interference would be viewed as siding with or protecting the criminals responsible for the atrocities.
Meanwhile, al-Hijri has repeatedly requested Damascus to deploy forces specifically to halt the tribal advance in the western countryside of Suwayda, but Damascus has so far refused, maintaining its condition that any military intervention would only come if all militias — including the Israeli-backed Druze factions — disarm and surrender full control of the province to the state.
In Druze-controlled areas, militants have been seen celebrating with Israeli flags and chanting pro-Israel slogans, further exposing their direct alignment with Tel Aviv’s agenda.
Despite the magnitude of violence, Israeli airstrikes, and regional provocations, the international community and global media remain largely silent, drawing widespread criticism for double standards — particularly as the victims are overwhelmingly from the Muslim Bedouin population.
Syrian tribal leaders, backed by dozens of Arab tribes, have vowed to continue their campaign to liberate their people, protect their lands, and thwart foreign agendas —including Israeli plans to partition and control strategic areas of southern Syria.
For more coverage and facts from Syria, visit Abdussamed Dagül X account here.
