Syria fears imminent Druze attack in Suwayda with Israeli support

Syrian officials have expressed growing concerns regarding a potential military offensive by armed Druze factions against government forces in the Suwayda province. According to a high-ranking Syrian official, intelligence suggests that armed groups are preparing for operations to ‘regain control of Druze villages,’ a move that poses a significant security challenge to the administration of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Damascus has accused Israel of providing military and intelligence support to these factions. The Syrian official alleged that Israel has intensified aerial reconnaissance over Suwayda, southern Syria, and Damascus. Furthermore, there are claims that an Israeli helicopter landed in Suwayda to deliver significant quantities of weapons and ammunition, though independent evidence for these specific claims has not been provided.

These tensions follow the fall of the previous regime in December 2024, as the current government seeks to re-establish authority across the country. Israel has maintained security concerns regarding developments in southern Syria, aiming to prevent the concentration of Syrian forces near its borders.