Sweida: 23 Druze Fighters Killed in Ambush Near Damascus
May 1, 2025, 3:13 pm

Sweida: 23 Druze Fighters Killed in Ambush Near Damascus

الأمن العام

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Thursday that 23 militants from the Druze community were killed in an ambush set by elements affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior, along with supporting groups, on the Sweida-Daraa road.

The observatory clarified that the ambush targeted a convoy of Druze militants on their way from Sweida province to the town of Sahnaia in the Damascus countryside to support local armed groups. An additional 8 individuals were documented as killed in the ambush, bringing the total number of fatalities to 23.

The observatory also noted that clashes occurred in the village of al-Soura in the Sweida countryside, resulting in the deaths of 4 Druze militants while they were defending against an attack by forces affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior and supporting groups.

For its part, the local network Sweida 24 reported that several residents of the mountain community were killed in a treacherous ambush on the Damascus-Sweida road.

The Syrian military operations command announced on Wednesday that fierce clashes broke out between members of the tribes and Druze on the Damascus-Sweida road near the village of “Buraq.”

It is worth noting that the town of Sahnaia, near Damascus, recently witnessed the deaths of 15 Syrian security personnel in clashes that erupted on Tuesday night, according to the Ministry of Interior.

As part of its efforts to enforce security, the General Syrian Security Service conducted operations in Ashrafiyat Sahnaia, urging civilians to stay in their homes and report any militants near the area. The Directorate of General Security in the Damascus countryside confirmed that these operations aim to enhance security and stability and to protect civilians, indicating that several militants have been arrested during sweeps in the region.

A Sky News Arabia correspondent reported the arrival of armored troop carriers belonging to the Syrian army in the Ashrafiyat Sahnaia area. Meanwhile, the security official in the nearby town of al-Kisweh reported the closure of the Damascus-Daraa and Damascus-Sweida roads due to the presence of “outlaws.”

It is noteworthy that the clashes ensued due to attempts by some Druze groups to cross into Sahnaia, which has been experiencing intense fighting.

In a related context, Israel launched several airstrikes on the Ashrafiyat Sahnaia area near Damascus on Wednesday, leading to a wave of displacement among residents. Local media reported several casualties resulting from the strikes, while Sky News Arabia monitored the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the region and the rising displacement of the population.

The area also saw a extensive meeting between Druze spiritual leaders and Syrian officials in Darayya, where they discussed ways to find a swift solution to the ongoing crisis in Ashrafiyat Sahnaia.

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