Baghdad: A number of dead and wounded in violent clashes in Sweida. The death toll from the clashes taking place in some areas of the Syrian province of Sweida has risen to 6 dead, including a child, and about 20 wounded. The Sheikh of the Druze Unitarian Community, Hammoud al-Hanawi, called on all parties to stop all activities that sow discord and threaten civil peace.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, fighting has escalated between members of the tribes and the province since Saturday, following the theft of a vegetable truck and the detention of its driver the previous day on the Damascus-Sweida road, sparking the crisis. Al-Hanawi addressed a “special appeal” to President Ahmed al-Sharaa and tribal leaders, urging them to “quell the strife” and end the internal crisis. He emphasized that “the Druze monotheists strive for good, reject injustice, and believe that dignity is protected by reason and wisdom, not by weapons and kidnapping.”

For his part, Brigadier General Nizar al-Hariri, Deputy Commander of Internal Security for Police Affairs, stated that “Suwayda Governorate is witnessing close security monitoring around the al-Maqous neighborhood east of the city. This follows rapid developments resulting from a recent robbery on the Damascus-Suwayda road that targeted a citizen working in the commercial sector, and the subsequent tense reactions that included mutual kidnappings.” He noted that “intensive efforts are being made, in coordination with local actors, to contain tensions and promote civil peace through dialogue.”