The death toll from escalating clashes in Syria&rsquo;s southern province of Sweida has reached nearly 600, as Israeli airstrikes and growing sectarian violence plunge the region deeper into crisis.
According to SANA, Israel launched another airstrike near the city of Sweida on Thursday, following earlier attacks on military and symbolic sites in Damascus. No casualties have been confirmed from the latest raid.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least 597 people have died since July 13, when conflict erupted between Druze fighters, Syrian government forces, and Bedouin militias, in one of the deadliest flare-ups in years.
Thousands of Bedouin families are now fleeing Sweida amid reports of intimidation, sectarian reprisals, and siege-like conditions, raising fears of a humanitarian disaster.
On Thursday night, Syria&rsquo;s interim authorities claimed their military withdrew from Sweida under US-Arab mediation, but blamed local armed factions for violating the ceasefire and committing atrocities against civilians.
The fragile ceasefire, brokered by Druze spiritual leaders, remains shaky. Meanwhile, Arab tribal militias from Deir al-Zour and Idlib are reportedly mobilising in support of the Bedouins, escalating the regional conflict.
Tensions originally erupted after Bedouin tribesmen allegedly assaulted a Druze youth near al-Masmiyah, sparking retaliatory kidnappings and leading to full-scale armed clashes.
The international community has condemned the Israeli strikes, warning of worsening regional instability and urging efforts to restore peace.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

Syria's Sweida Death Toll Nears 600 Amid Chaos

Israeli airstrikes, sectarian violence, and mass displacement worsen Sweida crisis

Syria's Sweida Death Toll Nears 600 Amid Chaos

Israeli airstrikes, sectarian violence, and mass displacement worsen Sweida crisis

July 18, 2025 | 14:26 IST