Bedouin tribes launch counterattacks after killings in Syria's Suweida

Syrian Bedouin tribes launched a large-scale counterattack on the southern province of Suweida on Thursday evening, a day after factions loyal to Druze Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri carried out deadly attacks on them following the government's withdrawal.

The Bedouin tribes seized control of towns in the Suweida countryside, including Al-Soura Al-Kubra, and a military airport, according to activists on social media. Tribal fighters also entered the village of Al-Mazra'a, with some advancing towards Suweida city in an unprecedented move.

The tribes described the mobilisation as a "response to the massacres and displacement of Bedouin tribes that took place Thursday morning", The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, reported.

Also on Thursday, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on the outskirts of Suweida city, purportedly in support of the armed Druze groups.

Clashes between Bedouin tribes and al-Hijri's forces continued on Friday morning, according to reports.

Dozens killed

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said on Thursday that armed groups affiliated with al-Hijri killed dozens of Bedouin tribesmen following the withdrawal of government troops.

In comments to Al-Araby Al-Jadded, SNHR chairman Fadel Abdul Ghany said that the final death toll has not yet been determined due to the difficulty of accessing the affected areas.

"The attacks on Bedouin tribes, the vast majority of which were against civilians, have led to forced displacement and widespread migration, as these people were forced to leave their areas west of Suweida province to eastern Daraa province, such as Busra al-Harir, al-Najat, and other areas," Abdul Ghani said, adding that seven women, six children and two medical personnel were among those killed.

The SNHR chief estimated that the combined death toll from attacks by all involved actors — including government forces, al-Hijri's forces, Bedouin tribes and Israel — could be as high as 250 since 13 July.

Israeli involvement

On Friday, Israel said it was sending humanitarian aid to Suweida, amid its attacks on Syrian government infrastructure and army positions in what it says is an attempt to create a de-militarised zone in southern Syria.

"In light of the recent attacks targeting the Druze community in Suweida and the severe humanitarian situation in the area, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has ordered the urgent transfer of humanitarian aid to the Druze population in the region," the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement.

The two million shekel (nearly $600,000) package includes food parcels and medical supplies, the ministry said, noting it had previously sent humanitarian aid to the Druze in Syria in March.

Israel however, has previously bombed a road linking Suweida to Damascus, preventing the entry of essential medical equipment.

Tel Aviv also announced on Friday that it will allow limited access by Syrian forces into Suweida over the next two days.

"In light of the ongoing instability in south west Syria, Israel has agreed to allow limited entry of the (Syrian) internal security forces into Suweida district for the next 48 hours," an Israeli official, who declined to be named, told reporters.

Damascus has accused Israel of attempting to sow sectarian discord in Syria, where it has carried out dozens of strikes and incursions since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December.