ISTANBUL

The Syrian presidency called for restraint on Friday amid escalating violence in the southern Suwayda region and pledged to deploy specialized forces to intervene and restore order.

The presidency said in a statement it “followed with deep concern and profound sorrow the violent events that have occurred and continue to unfold in southern Syria.”

“These events resulted from the expansion of illegal armed groups that have used weapons as a means to impose their will, directly endangering the lives of civilians, including children, women, and the elderly,” it added.

In light of these developments, the statement stressed that the country “calls on all parties to exercise self-restraint and prioritize reason.”

The competent authorities are working to send a specialized force to end the conflict, alongside political and security measures aimed at stabilizing the situation and ensuring a return to calm in the governorate as soon as possible, according to the statement.

​​​​​​​Clashes are still ongoing in the western and northern parts of the province between Bedouin tribal forces and local armed Druze groups.

The fighting began on Sunday as limited skirmishes between both sides, prompting Syrian regime forces to intervene. Dozens of soldiers were later killed in retaliatory attacks by armed Druze factions.

After the escalation between regime forces and Druze groups, a ceasefire was brokered but quickly collapsed.

Israel, under the pretext of protecting Druze communities, intensified its attacks across Syria, launching airstrikes on four provinces, including strikes on the General Staff headquarters and presidential palace in Damascus on Wednesday.