Four Syrian Druze killed in Israeli airstrike on Suweida province

Four Syrians, all of them members of the Druze community, were killed in an Israeli drone strike which targeted a farm in Suweida province on Friday afternoon when an Israeli drone targeted a residential farm in the western part of Syria's Suwayda Governorate.

Local sources told The New Arab’s sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the airstrike targeted a livestock farm near a landfill in the Kanaker area, west of Suweida city, resulting in the death of the farm owner, Issam Azzam, along with three others who were with him.

The sources said that Azzam had attempted to fire on the drone with a gun, in an apparent attempt to stop it, but it launched a guided missile at him and his companions, killing them instantly.

Ever since former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by a rebel offensive in December 2024, Israel has tried to position itself as a “protector” of the Syrian Druze community, saying it was launching airstrikes in the country, including one which hit near the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday, to support them.

The majority of Syrian Druze however have rejected Israel’s “protection” offers, affirming loyalty to Syria.

Also on Wednesday, armed clashes erupted on the western outskirts of the town of Al-Qurayya in Suweida between unidentified groups after mortar shells were fired by unknown militants on the town's outskirts. There was no information about casualties.

Earlier, local sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Suweida province had been relatively calm amid cautious anticipation of the security situation.

Meanwhile, Syria’s Ministry of Interior began activating the General Security apparatus in the governorate in coordination with several Druze religious leaders and local faction leaders, led by Laith al-Balous.

Syrian TV reported that General Security agreed to integrate 700 members from local Suwayda factions into its forces, who are preparing to deploy under its command in the province.

 The deployment will cover Suweida city and the entrances to the province, with a local faction leader overseeing the deployment of security personnel. There are also expectations of forming a dedicated Suwayda military brigade under the Ministry of Defence.

This new deployment comes as part of attempts to calm the situation after intense clashes in the Druze town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya in Damascus province on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning between Syrian security forces and local Druze militia.

The clashes resulted in over 26 deaths on both sides and ended with security forces regaining control of the area.

Additionally, the Damascus countryside security directorate released several detainees who were not proven to be involved in the recent events in Sahnaya and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, in the presence of local officials and community elders, as reported by the Syrian News Agency SANA.

Syrian General Security forces also entered the town of Jaramana, near Damascus, on Friday morning following an agreement with Druze religious leaders. The situation remained calm but tense.