Suwayda clashes resume between transitional forces and National Guard

Armed clashes have resumed in the Suwayda governorate of southern Syria, threatening a fragile truce between the Syrian Transitional Government and the National Guard, led by Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hajri. Fighting broke out late Friday and continued into Saturday morning, centered around the Rima Hazem axis and the transport area northwest of Suwayda city. Reports indicate the use of heavy machine guns and a suicide drone strike targeting a National Guard military point, allegedly launched from transitional government positions in Al-Mansoura.

The escalation has drawn concern from the United States. US Special Envoy Tom Barack expressed dissatisfaction with the renewed violence, warning that a lack of governance in the region allows malicious groups to fill the vacuum. Barack emphasized the importance of a tripartite peace roadmap signed a year ago with Syrian and Jordanian officials, which aims to reintegrate Suwayda into the Syrian state while guaranteeing the rights and citizenship of the Druze community.

The current instability follows previous tensions and military interventions, with the transitional government attempting to manage the level of escalation to avoid direct Israeli military involvement in the province.