Nearly 600 people have been killed in brutal violence in Syria’s Sweida province, with casualties including 154 civilians, 146 Druze fighters, 18 Bedouin fighters, 257 government personnel, and 15 others reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
nvn news
Fri Jul 18 2025
A wave of deadly violence in southern Syria has claimed the lives of nearly 600 people, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), as reported by the BBC. The fighting, which began last Sunday in Sweida province, has taken a devastating toll on local communities, with the Observatory describing the situation as extremely brutal and alarming.
The report states that at least 594 people have been killed so far, with heavy casualties among the Druze community—a minority religious group primarily residing in southern Syria. Among them, 146 were fighters, while 154 were civilians. Shockingly, the group claims that 83 civilians were executed by government forces without being given a chance to defend themselves in court.
Violence between the Druze and Bedouin communities has also escalated. Eighteen Bedouin fighters and 257 government personnel are reported to have died. In retaliation, Druze fighters allegedly killed three Bedouin individuals without legal proceedings.
Adding to the chaos, an Israeli airstrike reportedly killed 15 Syrian government personnel. Israel has stated the strike was carried out to protect the Druze population, though the claim remains controversial.
The BBC emphasized that it has not independently verified SOHR’s figures, but the growing violence raises serious concerns about civilian safety and the broader implications for peace in the region.
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