The key facts

  • The clashes in Sweida unfolded in the Al-Mashraba quarter and spread to other areas of the city
  • Participants are using grenade launchers and medium-caliber weapons
  • The events are taking place against the backdrop of the closure of the Nassib crossing and the Jordanian operation in southern Syria

Fierce fighting in Sweida

Armed clashes have broken out between Druze formations in the city of Sweida in southern Syria. This was reported by the Syrian TV channel Syria TV, citing the provincial information directorate, reports Gazeta.Ru. The directorate's statement refers to 'fierce clashes between illegal armed groups'.

Where the fighting is taking place and what weapons are being used

According to the channel's local sources, the groups involved belong to the so-called 'National Guard' of Druze self-defense forces. The clashes began in the Al-Mashraba quarter, then spread from the Al-Kharoubi area near the northern entrance to the city toward the Al-Muhandsin quarter. Those involved in the shootouts are using grenade launchers and medium-caliber weapons.

Context: border closure and Jordanian strikes

The clashes occurred a few days after the situation in the south of the country deteriorated. On October 27, it was reported that Syria had closed its main border crossing 'Nassib' on the border with Jordan — following strikes on southern Syrian districts. The day before, the Jordanian Armed Forces announced that the kingdom's air force had carried out the operation 'Jordanian Deterrence — Khmoud', attacking positions of terrorist groups in southern Syria. The operation was a response to the attack on a church in the Jordanian province of Al-Karak on October 23; according to the military, the strikes destroyed facilities used by terrorists and their equipment.

What remains unclear

Reports of the clashes in Sweida so far contain no information about casualties or the cause of the conflict between the Druze groups. Sources do not confirm any connection between these battles and the border closure or the Jordanian strikes — the events coincide chronologically, but the publications do not assert a direct link between them. Earlier, the President of Syria also spoke about work on an agreement on security with Israel, but the connection between this and the situation in the south of the country is not explained in these reports.