HTS Forces Advance into Druze City Following Violent Clashes in Syria

The southern city, previously dominated by armed factions from the Druze minority, has seen a shift in control as religious leaders from the community have sanctioned the deployment of Damascus’s forces. These leaders have also urged the fighters to surrender their weapons, according to a report by AFP.

A curfew is set to be enforced in the southern city as authorities seek to quell the violence that erupted over the weekend and has since extended throughout the Sweida governorate.

Forces under the leadership of the HTS regime reportedly intervened to separate the conflicting parties, ultimately seizing control of several Druze regions surrounding Sweida, according to reports from an AFP correspondent.

Military convoys were observed advancing toward Sweida on Tuesday morning, accompanied by the deployment of heavy artillery in the vicinity.

The defense ministry later announced that forces had entered the city, advising residents to “remain indoors and report any activity of unlawful groups.”

Explosions and gunfire were reported in Sweida as military forces advanced into the area, according to an AFP correspondent on the ground.

Military units commenced their advance towards the city on Monday, successfully taking control of at least one Druze village. Meanwhile, a faction representing the Druze community indicated that negotiations were in progress with the regime in Damascus.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 99 individuals have lost their lives since the outbreak of hostilities on Sunday. The casualties include 60 Druze, among them four civilians, as well as 18 Bedouin fighters who are aligned with regime forces. Additionally, 14 security personnel and seven individuals wearing military uniforms, whose identities remain unconfirmed, have been reported dead.

The Ministry of Defense has announced that 18 members of the armed forces have lost their lives.