Suwayda: At least 321 people have been killed and more than 436 injured in armed clashes between Bedouin tribal forces and armed Druze factions in the southern Syrian province of Suwayda. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported these figures on Friday, indicating that the casualties include six children and nine women, with the violence ongoing since Sunday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the clashes continue to rage in the western and northern parts of Suwayda, primarily involving Bedouin tribal forces and local armed Druze groups. The fighting initially erupted as limited skirmishes but escalated quickly, prompting intervention by Syrian regime forces. However, retaliatory attacks by armed Druze factions resulted in the deaths of dozens of soldiers.

A ceasefire, brokered in response to the escalation, was short-lived and eventually collapsed. In the wake of these developments, Israel intensified its military actions in Syria, citing the protection of Druze communities as the reason for launching airstrikes on four provinces. These strikes included attacks on significant sites such as the General Staff headquarters and the presidential palace in Damascus on Wednesday.

In a bid to de-escalate the situation, the Syrian presidency announced a new agreement on Thursday night, mediated by Arab and American parties. As part of this agreement, regime troops have begun withdrawing from Suwayda in an effort to reduce tensions and restore some semblance of stability to the region.