Over 100 Dead in Sahnaia and Sweida Clashes as Sectarian Tensions and Foreign Interference Fears Grow

Watan-Markets reopened and life began returning to normal in Sahnaia, a town in the Damascus countryside that mirrors Syria’s rich ethnic and sectarian mosaic, following two days of deadly clashes between Druze armed groups and pro-government forces. The violence, which began in Jaramana and spread to Sweida, resulted in around 100 deaths, mostly among Druze fighters, and the arrest of 100 armed men, including non-Syrians caught with various weapons, according to a Syrian security official.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the clashes led to the deaths of 30 regime security personnel, 21 Druze fighters, and 10 civilians, including the former mayor of Sahnaia and his son.

In Sweida, 40 more Druze fighters were killed—35 of them in an ambush on the Damascus-Sweida road on Wednesday.

A top security commander told Al-Quds Al-Arabi that over 100 unregulated gunmen were arrested in Sahnaia, including more than 15 Iraqis, while others fled through surrounding farmlands, discarding their weapons, which were later recovered.

Following an agreement with military and security officials, Druze leaders surrendered large weapon stockpiles, including heavy arms, such as DShK machine guns, PKC rifles, sniper rifles, and RPGs.

Security and military checkpoints now divide Sahnaia and its Ashrafieh neighborhood, with troops deployed at all entrances and exits. Despite a gradual return to civilian life, the town remains tense.

Assassination of the Former Mayor

Former Sahnaia mayor Hossam Warwar and his son were shot dead Wednesday, hours after Syrian forces entered the city. Conflicting reports emerged: some sources said he was killed by armed groups for welcoming government troops, others cited a personal feud, while rumors circulated that security forces were involved.

According to Ryan Maarouf, a spokesperson for the Suwayda 24 network, Warwar was assassinated after appearing in a video praising the entry of security forces. He and his son were shot by gunmen who stormed their home, despite the neighborhood being under government control.

Maarouf also reported ongoing violations, including arrests, property looting, and civilian executions inside their homes.

Wounds of War Still Visible

In Ashrafieh Sahnaia, home to a majority Druze population, damaged cars, shattered storefronts, and destroyed buildings, including the Arab Bank branch, tell the story of two days of fierce fighting.

Locals like Umm Amjad, a schoolteacher, expressed anguish:

“We survived years of war peacefully. Why must there always be a head to break? A state is built by all its people, not on broken heads.”

She added:“The Druze sacrificed so much for this country. And now, because of a fake, fabricated audio clip insulting the Prophet shared online, is it acceptable to shed their blood?”

Another woman standing outside a shop added:“Here in Sahnaia, we live side by side—Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and Christians. This was a safe city where everyone sought refuge.”

She described the recent chaos:“One day, we were defending the city ourselves. The next, we found ourselves caught between militias and the army—like grass under the feet of elephants.”

Security Deployment in Sweida

In Sweida province, Syrian state media reported that security forces deployed in the town of Al-Surah Al-Kubra to restore calm and secure civilian return.

Photos published by SANA showed Sweida Governor Mustafa Al-Bakkour and Commander of the 40th Army Division overseeing the deployment.

The move followed heavy fighting in towns west of Sweida. Suwayda 24 reported that Kanaker village endured intense shelling, causing property damage and widespread fear.

Meanwhile, in Daraa, clashes between Bedouin tribes and local factions from Sweida near Burraq village resulted in seven deaths. The fighting occurred as Sweida factions allegedly attempted to reinforce armed groups in Ashrafieh Sahnaia.