❗️Clashes Escalate in Syria’s Druze Heartland: Israeli Strikes, HTS Advances, and Armed Resistance in As-Suwayda

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Fierce fighting has erupted in and around the predominantly Druze city of As-Suwayda in southern Syria, as a coalition of HTS-led Syrian government forces pushes aggressively into the region. The offensive marks a significant escalation in tensions in a part of the country that has largely been spared from the heaviest battles of Syria’s civil war.

❗️Government Forces Shelling Druze Strongholds

According to local sources, the Syrian government — in coordination with elements of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — has launched a coordinated ground and artillery campaign to reassert control over the defiant southern province. Shelling has reportedly targeted neighborhoods within As-Suwayda, causing civilian casualties and damage to homes and religious sites.

❗️Druze Clans Fight Back

Despite the government’s offensive, armed Druze militias and clan-based defense forces remain entrenched within the city. These local fighters are resisting the advance, raising the stakes for a potentially prolonged conflict in the historically autonomous Druze heartland.

Videos circulating online show Druze fighters setting up checkpoints and engaging in armed confrontations against approaching government units. Analysts suggest this could signal a broader breakdown in trust between local Druze leaders and Damascus.

❗️Israeli Strikes Add Fuel to the Fire

In a sudden turn, Israeli warplanes conducted new airstrikes targeting HTS-aligned Syrian government forces just outside As-Suwayda. The Israeli government has long maintained a policy of striking Iranian-linked assets in Syria, and the presence of HTS elements near Israel’s northeastern border may have triggered preemptive action.

The full extent of the Israeli strikes is not yet confirmed, but multiple sources report explosions on the outskirts of the city and the destruction of military positions reportedly linked to pro-regime militias.

⚠️ A Volatile Mix of Players

This fast-moving conflict in As-Suwayda now involves:

• HTS-led government troops seeking territorial gains
• Local Druze fighters defending their city
• Israeli forces launching targeted airstrikes

All of this comes amid heightened tensions between Iran-backed militias and Israeli interests across the region, with As-Suwayda becoming the latest flashpoint.

📰 What Comes Next?

With multiple factions involved and no signs of de-escalation, the situation in As-Suwayda could spiral into a broader regional crisis. Analysts warn that if the Druze resistance holds out, the Syrian regime may intensify its bombardment — potentially leading to international condemnation and further Israeli involvement.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more updates.