Context:

Sectarian violence in southern Syria has resulted in at least 30 deaths, with the conflict primarily involving Bedouin Sunni tribes and Druze fighters in the city of Sweida. The Syrian interior ministry has reported a death toll of 30, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates it at 37, with scores injured. This escalation follows the collapse of the Assad regime and the establishment of a new Islamic-led government struggling to maintain control. Efforts to de-escalate the situation include the deployment of government forces, calls for self-restraint from local officials, and appeals for calm by spiritual leaders. The unrest reflects broader sectarian tensions within Syria, with recent violence also affecting the Alawite minority and Christian worshippers in Damascus, amid Western attempts to reestablish diplomatic relations with the country.

Dive Deeper:

• In southern Syria, sectarian clashes between Bedouin Sunni tribes and the Druze religious minority in Sweida have resulted in at least 30 deaths, with 100 more injured. The fighting is a reflection of the broader instability following the toppling of the Assad regime by Sunni Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) last December.

• The Syrian interior ministry has reported 30 deaths, whereas the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, has estimated the toll at 37. This indicates the severity of the conflict and the ongoing challenges in obtaining accurate casualty figures in war-torn regions.

• The new Islamic-led government in Syria faces significant challenges in establishing control, as sectarian violence has intensified since the collapse of the Assad regime. Efforts to stabilize the situation include the deployment of security forces to intervene directly and calls for self-restraint by local officials like Sweida's governor Mustapha al-Bakur.

• Spiritual leaders have been urging for calm amidst the escalating violence, highlighting the tense atmosphere and fear among minority groups such as the Druze, who had previously been loyal to the Assad regime hoping for protection during Syria's prolonged civil war.

• International relations are shifting as Western countries attempt to reset their approach to Syria, marked by the US removing HTS from its list of terrorist organizations and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Syria. These developments occur against a backdrop of ongoing violence and distrust among Syria's religious minorities, including recent attacks on the Alawite community and Christians in Damascus.