Clashes erupt again in Syria’s Suwayda between Bedouin and Druze fighters

Syria’s Interior Ministry denies reports that government forces are being redeployed to Suwayda amid renewed fighting.

Heavy fighting has flared up again between the Druze and Bedouin tribes in the restive southern Syrian province of Suwayda, as another ceasefire has collapsed a day after Syrian troops pulled out of the area.

The resumption of clashes on Friday came as the Syrian Ministry of Interior denied reports that government forces are being redeployed to the Druze-majority governorate.

“We confirm that no official statement has been issued in this regard, and we categorically deny the veracity of what was published,” state media quoted spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba as saying.

The spokesperson said government forces were in a normal state of readiness, and there had been no deployment to Suwayda so far.

Israel, which on Wednesday carried out heavy air attacks on Suwayda and the capital, Damascus, had previously warned the Syrian government to withdraw from the south. Syria’s government condemned the Israeli attacks as a violation of Syrian sovereignty and an attempt to sow division and chaos in the country.