The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/sweida/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:31:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Sweida | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/sweida/ 32 32 Scathing UN report demands Syria probe abuses during clashes with Druze; 1,700 were killed https://www.timesofisrael.com/scathing-un-report-demands-syria-investigate-abuses-during-deadly-clashes-with-druze/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:02:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3788859 Investigators find 'no indication' that Damascus looked into human rights violations committed by forces, detail 'widespread looting, systematic burning' against Druze civilians

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]]> Syrian government forces and Druze factions exchange prisoners in Sweida https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-government-forces-and-druze-factions-exchange-prisoners-in-sweida/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:52:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3762738 Under Red Cross supervision, Damascus releases 61 prisoners while Druze National Guard Forces free 25 Syrian government personnel

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]]> US mediating prisoner exchange talks between Damascus and Druze — source https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-mediating-prisoner-exchange-talks-between-damascus-and-druze-source/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:36:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3761480 Talks aim to free over 60 civilians from Druze-majority Sweida, where sectarian clashes broke out last year, prompting Israeli intervention, in exchange for 30 government personnel

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]]> Israeli Druze leader says Syrian community remains ‘besieged’ months after clashes https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-druze-leader-says-syrian-community-remains-besieged-months-after-clashes/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:49:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3758423 Sheikh Muafak Tarif says over 120,000 still displaced, 300 held captive following clashes that erupted with government and Bedouin tribal forces in Sweida last year

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]]> Syrian security officer arrested over killing of civilians in Druze-majority Sweida https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-security-officer-arrested-over-killing-of-civilians-in-druze-majority-sweida/ Sun, 08 Feb 2026 08:10:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3750220 Suspect arrested with help of survivor of attack, in which four people were shot dead and a fifth was seriously wounded while harvesting olives

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]]> Syrian army, Kurds exchange fire in area near Aleppo declared closed military zone https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-army-kurds-exchange-fire-in-area-near-aleppo-declared-closed-military-zone/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:09:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3733074 Renewed conflict with minorities comes as Syrian Druze leader accuses al-Sharaa government of attempted 'genocide,' says his community is 'inseparable part of Israel's system'

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]]> Report: Israel began airdropping weapons to Syrian Druze days after Assad’s ouster https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-israel-began-airdropping-weapons-to-syrian-druze-days-after-assads-ouster/ Tue, 23 Dec 2025 22:35:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3718541 Defensive equipment shipments continue, but arms deliveries tapered off as Israel sought talks with Sharaa and grew wary of Syrian Druze infighting, sources tell Washington Post

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]]> Syria arrests military members for deadly attacks on Druze in Sweida in July https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-arrests-military-members-for-deadly-attacks-on-druze-in-sweida-in-july/ Sun, 16 Nov 2025 19:58:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3690125 Committee investigating violence says it will only release death toll in final report later this year, doesn't say how many security forces were detained amid investigation

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]]> Druze and Syrian government forces accuse each other of violating Sweida ceasefire https://www.timesofisrael.com/druze-and-syrian-government-forces-accuse-each-other-of-violating-sweida-ceasefire/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:34:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3688732 Renewed violence subsides, with reports of wounded on both sides but no casualties; Air Force said to have flown overhead as clashes erupted Thursday

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]]> What to expect as Syria goes to the polls for the first time since Assad’s ouster https://www.timesofisrael.com/what-to-expect-as-syria-goes-to-the-polls-for-the-first-time-since-assads-ouster/ Sun, 05 Oct 2025 08:46:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3656635 Sunday's election, which does not include popular vote, criticized as undemocratic; vote not taking place in Druze-majority Sweida or Kurdish areas

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]]> After brutal sectarian clashes, Syrian Druze pushing for autonomy, lean toward Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-brutal-sectarian-clashes-syrian-druze-pushing-for-autonomy-lean-toward-israel/ Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:53:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3654084 Southern Syria sect sets up de facto military, government body as community feels betrayed by new government in Damascus, grateful for support from Jerusalem

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]]> Israel presented Syria with detailed proposal for new security agreement – report https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-presented-syria-with-detailed-proposal-for-new-security-agreement-report/ Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:17:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3643843 Top Israeli, Syrian and US officials said to meet in London to discuss plan that would see no Syrian troops near Israeli border, air corridor that would enable Israel to strike Iran

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]]> Syria says working with US to reach ‘security understandings’ with Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-says-working-with-us-to-reach-security-understandings-with-israel/ Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:03:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3643662 Announcement comes as part of US- and Jordan-backed roadmap for restoring stability to country's south after deadly sectarian violence earlier this year

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]]> Hundreds in Syria’s Sweida demand Druze self-determination; some wave Israeli flag https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-in-syrias-sweida-demand-druze-self-determination-some-wave-israeli-flag/ Sat, 16 Aug 2025 14:26:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3621376 Demonstrators chant 'free free Sweida... Julani out,' appeal for international support following last month's deadly sectarian violence

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]]> Syria vows investigation after video shows forces killing worker in Sweida hospital https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-vows-investigation-after-video-shows-forces-killing-worker-in-sweida-hospital/ Mon, 11 Aug 2025 11:51:23 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3617546 Interior Ministry promises accountability, but rights groups demand independent probe into apparent shooting of hospital employee by Syrian security personnel during July clashes

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