Escalating Violence, Sectarian Divisions, and Israeli Involvement Threaten Stability

Six months after the fall of Syria's long-time leader, the country's post-war order is fragile and on the brink. The nation is deeply divided as it attempts to emerge from decades of dictatorship and nearly 14 years of civil war. Recent days have seen Israeli strikes within Syria amidst clashes between various factions.

The strikes were a response to clashes involving the Druze, the Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces. Dozens of people have been killed in the fighting. Syria is currently governed by a transitional government, established after the collapse of the Assad family's decades-long rule in December of the previous year. Before this, the country was embroiled in a 14-year civil war.

The new transitional government has a more Islamist character. The Druze, a religious sect with a significant presence in Syria, are navigating this changed landscape. They largely reside in the southern Sweida province and some Damascus suburbs. The transitional government has promised protections and inclusion for the Druze, but only one government member is Druze.

The Druze are divided on how to address their issues with the new status quo. The recent violence began when the Bedouin tribe in Sweida province attacked a Druze man. This led to retaliatory attacks and kidnappings. Government security forces, deployed to restore order, were perceived as favoring the Bedouin tribes.

The clashes raise concerns about a resurgence of sectarian violence. In March, attacks between Assad loyalists and government forces resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths. Tensions are also rising between Damascus authorities and Kurdish-led authorities in the country's northeast.

The recent clashes have drawn the attention of Israel. Israel does not want Islamic militants near its northern border. Since the fall of Assad, Israeli forces have taken control of a buffer zone and conducted numerous air strikes. Israel has periodically intervened in support of the Druze.

The Israel Defense Forces struck military tanks in southern Syria to aid the Druze, followed by further strikes on Syrian government forces. Israeli leaders stated their commitment to preventing harm to the Druze and ensuring the demilitarization of the border area.

A ceasefire is reportedly in place between the government, the Bedouin, and the Druze. The Druze spiritual leadership initially allowed Syrian forces into Sweida city to stop the bloodshed. However, a prominent Druze Sheikh later claimed the statement was imposed by Damascus, and Syrian troops continued firing on residents. Dozens have died in the fighting since Sunday.