Context:

An attack by Israel near Syria's military headquarters in Damascus highlights the ongoing unrest in southern Syria, especially in the Druse-dominated Sweida province, where violence has claimed over 200 lives in four days. The conflict began with an incident involving Bedouin tribes and Druse militias, exacerbated by the Syrian government's intervention, which Druse factions perceived as partial. Israel's involvement is driven by concerns over the presence of hostile forces near its border and the protection of the Druse minority. The current Syrian government, formed after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, struggles to assert control and integrate Druse militias into the national army, amid skepticism about its intentions. The escalation of violence reflects the ongoing sectarian tensions and challenges facing Syria’s new leadership in maintaining national cohesion and security.

Dive Deeper:

• The recent conflict in Sweida province erupted between Bedouin tribes and Druse militias following an attack on a Druse individual, leading to a cycle of retaliatory violence and kidnappings.

• The Syrian government's military intervention was met with suspicion by Druse militias, who believed the government forces sided with the Bedouins, resulting in further clashes.

• Israel's intervention, marked by airstrikes near Damascus, aims to prevent hostile forces from establishing a presence near its border and to protect the Druse minority, with whom it shares close ties.

• The Druse, making up about 3% of Syria’s population, have maintained militias for self-defense during Syria’s prolonged civil war and remain skeptical of the new government led by Ahmed al-Shara.

• The collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime and the rise of a Sunni Islamist rebel coalition have left Syria's new leadership grappling with integrating various militia groups into the national army, a task critical for national stability.

• The violence in Sweida represents a broader pattern of sectarian conflict in Syria, exacerbated by the absence of effective government control and the mistrust of minority groups towards the new administration.

• These clashes are part of a series of violent episodes against religious minorities following Assad's fall, raising concerns about a potential sectarian war and highlighting the fragile state of Syria's current political landscape.