Syrian security forces have been sent to the southern Syrian city of Sweida to stop escalating sectarian violence between Sunni Bedouin tribes and the Druze. Fighting in the predominantly Druze city erupted after Bedouin gunmen allegedly attacked a Druze vegetable seller, which sparked retaliatory kidnappings.

Long-standing land disputes have fuelled tensions between the Bedouin and Druze communities. While Syria's military says it has intervened to restore calm, Druze factions accuse them of siding with the Bedouin. Since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, Druze fighters have clashed repeatedly with the Islamist-led government, which insists its fight is against criminals, not communities.

The clashes represent a major challenge for Syria's new administration, which has pledged to unify the country and secure lasting peace.

 

(This video summary was created using AI. A journalist edited it before publication.)