Eurasia Press & News
Bottom Line Up Front
- In recent weeks, Syria’s southern province of Suwayda — home to the country’s Druze minority — has been engulfed in some of the deadliest violence since the 2011 Syrian civil war.
- Israel intervened militarily in the conflict, citing the need to protect the Druze community, intensifying its airstrikes in southern Syria and targeting Syrian military infrastructure.
- So far, the U.S.-brokered ceasefire offers a fragile but critical window for de-escalation and potential reconciliation.
- As Syria struggles to steer itself towards stability, the consequences ripple across borders, marking the country as both a crucible and a mirror for the emerging Middle East.
The evolving situation in Syria stands as a defining chapter in the reshaping of the Middle East. The country, which was once seen as a stronghold for Russia and Iran, has not yet to emerge as a stabilized nation but as an arena for competing powers vying for influence in a landscape transformed by unresolved conflicts, internal divisions, and external intervention.
After the fall of the Assad regime, the United States extended support to the newly established interim Syrian government. U.S. President Donald Trump notably met with the interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, referring to him as “a tough guy,” adding that al-Sharaa “got a real shot at holding it (Syria) together.” Trump promptly lifted sanctions on Syria while removing Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the list of designated terrorist organizations. These rapid policy shifts raised significant concern among key allies — most notably the Kurds — who have long feared exclusion from negotiations shaping the future of Syria. Their fears are compounded by the persistent threat of extremist groups and foreign fighters in Syria, which the interim government has thus far been unable to contain. In addition, like many in Syria and across the region, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remain deeply concerned about the potential resurgence of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, particularly amid reports that the terror group has already begun to re-establish a presence in areas under the nominal control of the Syrian interim government. In addition, detention facilities — which hold an estimated 10,000 suspected IS fighters — pose an additional serious and ongoing security threat. The risks of prison breaks and renewed terror activities render the IS threat both persistent and potentially resurgent.
In recent weeks, Syria’s southern province of Suwayda — home to the country’s Druze minority — has been engulfed in some of the deadliest violence since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, as fierce clashes erupted between Druze militias and armed Bedouin factions. Triggered by local disputes and exacerbated by years of underlying tensions, the fighting has left hundreds dead and displaced thousands. Amid this chaos, the interim Syrian government deployed troops to the area with limited success.
Some of the forces deployed by the Syrian interim government included militants who have allegedly been implicated in serious abuses against the Druze minority, including extrajudicial executions, intimidation, and other forms of mistreatment. The humanitarian situation in the area remains dire. For Syria’s Druze, the deadly violence has deepened fears of marginalization, raised concerns over long-term sectarian fragmentation, and underscored the complex geopolitical contest still playing out in the country’s fractured southern region.
Shortly after the dispute began, Israel intervened militarily in the conflict, citing the need to protect the Druze community. Israel has intensified its airstrikes in southern Syria, targeting Syrian military infrastructure, including the defense ministry and sites near the presidential palace in Damascus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared southern Syria — specifically Quneitra, Daraa, and Suwayda — as off-limits to Syrian military forces, effectively imposing a demilitarized buffer zone in the area. Netanyahu warned the Syrian military that “if we see [Syrian forces] there, we will strike again.”
The developments come as the United States reaffirms its support for the Syrian interim government and distances itself from Israel’s latest strikes. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce condemned the violence and noted Washington’s “displeasure” with Israel’s unilateral military actions. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt issued a joint statement affirming their commitment to Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The statement explicitly rejected foreign military interventions and other attempts to influence Syria’s internal affairs.
Türkiye has also expressed deep concerns regarding Israel’s actions. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Israel’s military posture as “provocative” and “destabilizing.” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conveyed Ankara’s deep concerns over Israel’s actions during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 19, stating that “Israel’s continued interventions on Syrian territory are worsening the crisis” and that “any attack targeting Syria’s territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty undermines regional peace efforts.”
As the troubling development unfolded in Suwayda, the Syrian military and security forces withdrew — partly to avoid escalation with Israel — leaving a vacuum that was quickly filled with militant Bedouin groups and other militant factions. These violent actors, some with historical hostilities toward minority communities in the region, have further destabilized an already fragile environment.
Following days of intensified fighting, Tom Barrack, the U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria, announced a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Syria, backed by regional partners including Türkiye and Jordan. He urged all factions — Druze and Bedouins — to disarm, halt reprisals, and pursue reconciliation. Barrack emphasized the need to protect civilians, allow humanitarian access, and prevent further escalation.
The recent situation in southern Syria underscores the fragility of the country and highlights the profound dangers posed by sectarian and ethnic divisions in a nation still struggling to emerge from the shadows of civil war. The potential fragmentation of Syria carries implications that reach well beyond its borders. For Iraq, persistent instability along the western frontier poses a direct threat to national security and undermines efforts to preserve territorial integrity. In Türkiye, the perceived erosion of influence — particularly in light of Israel’s expanding operational footprint — has likely compelled Ankara to reevaluate its strategic posture.
So far, the brokered ceasefire — led by the United States — offers a fragile but critical window for de-escalation, potential reconciliation, and a path toward coexistence. The Syrian interim government must seize this opportune moment to assert effective governance and restore order. This includes serious political and inclusive national dialogue and curbing the influence of malign actors and extremist factions — some of whom have reportedly operated within the ranks of its own forces and have been allegedly implicated in grave abuses, particularly against minority communities. Proactive leadership at this juncture is essential to prevent further fragmentation and to lay the groundwork for a more inclusive and stable future.
As for now, the situation in Syria remains fragile. Recent events reveal a nation not yet at peace, but still in limbo — a vacuum in which ethnic groups, militant extremists, and foreign actors vie for control. As Syria struggles to steer itself towards stability, the consequences ripple across borders, marking the country as both a crucible and a mirror for the emerging Middle East.
