1.1.2. Developments in the relationship between the transitional government and Druze actors

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Following the July 2025 violence in Sweida governorate involving Druze and Bedouin communities, as well as military interventions by government forces and Israel,28 most of the governorate remains under the control of local Druze authorities.29 On 16 September 2025, the U.S., Jordan, and Syria agreed on a roadmap to address intercommunal violence in Sweida governorate and to ultimately facilitate the integration of Sweida governorate into the state.30 The roadmap was rejected by the Sweida Autonomous Government who controls most of the governorate31 and are calling instead for self-determination.32 The progress of the roadmap has been slow33 while accountability for the July 2025 violence remains a concern.34 Ceasefire violations between the government forces and Druze armed groups have been reported over the reference period, at times prompting Israel strikes against pro-government forces.35

  • 28

    OHCHR, UN Syria Commission releases report on July massacres and other grave violations committed in Suwayda and calls for expanded accountability measures, 27 March 2026, url

  • 29

    Enab Baladi, “Legal Committee” rejects roadmap for solution in Suwayda, 17 September 2025, url; UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/61-62), 12 March 2026, url, para 7

  • 30

    ISW and CT, Iran Update, 16 September 2025, url

  • 31

    Enab Baladi, “Legal Committee” rejects roadmap for solution in Suwayda, 17 September 2025, url

  • 32

    Enab Baladi, Suwayda Protest Backs al-Hijri, Seeks Self-Determination, 12 April 2026, url

  • 33

    UN Human Rights Council, Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab

    Republic, International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law violations committed during the July

    2025 violence in Suwayda, Syria, 27 March 2026, url, para. 56; Etana Syria, Brief: Recent Developments in Suwayda, 14 April 2026, url

  • 34

    Security Council Report, Syria May 2026 Monthly Forecast, 1 May 2026, url

  • 35

    Etana Syria, Brief: Recent Developments in Suwayda, 14 April 2026, url; International Crisis Group, Crisis Watch March 2026, n.d., url; International Crisis Group, Crisis Watch November 2025, n.d., url