Repressive Violence in Syria: Security and Military Personnel Arrested in Suwayda

Hatim Nasan, head judge of the Suwayda investigative committee, said personnel who violated laws were arrested based on social media videos and other evidence. Security personnel were detained by the Ministry of Interior, while military personnel are held under the Ministry of Defense.

Videos show armed individuals killing Druze citizens publicly and humiliating elderly men by tearing their beards. Nasan did not specify the number of arrests or deaths, saying the final report, to be released next year, will include this information.

Some foreign fighters had independently entered Suwayda. A few were detained and interrogated but were not part of Syria’s armed or security forces.

Violence began after a Druze truck driver was kidnapped on a public road, prompting Bedouin tribal fighters from other provinces to enter the conflict. Government forces were later accused of siding with the Bedouins. Hundreds of civilians, mostly Druze, were killed.

After a week of fighting, a temporary ceasefire was established. Many residents now demand regional autonomy under a federal system.

President Ahmed Al-Shara is attempting to reintegrate Syria into the international community. In September, he addressed the UN General Assembly as the first Syrian leader in six decades and met US President Donald Trump at the White House for a second time.

Despite efforts to unify the war-torn country and reduce international isolation, instability, foreign interference, and internal political challenges persist in Suwayda.