Description: The ceasefire between the Druze and the Bedouin militants remained in place with divisions, disputes and tensions remaining high. Syria’s government forces encircled the perimeter of the city of Al Suweyda as they controlled the evacuation by the Bedouin fighters and the influx of humanitarian aid. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that a large-scale humanitarian crisis was unfolding in the city as many residents were left with no food or water supplies, limited communication capacities and destroyed infrastructure. SOHR also reported updated casualty numbers from the week – long sectarian clashes and stated that up to 1,120 people have been killed, including 427 Druze fighters, around 300 civilians and 21 Bedouin fighters.
Impact: Syria’s sectarian ceasefire, despite initial positive signs of longevity, still remains fragile. Sectarian violence continues to represent Syria’s main security risk, as the interim government has shown incompetence in integrating the various ethnic minorities into the country’s socio – economic system and tackling militant violence and conflicts effectively. Syria remains largely unstable as the consequences of the 13 – year civil war still persist and threaten the country’s future stability. Without international intervention, Syria would remain deeply divided and constantly on the brink of conflict. The country has become a geopolitical playing field where foreign interests from regional state actors such as Israel, Turkey and Iran as well as global powers such as the US remain intertwined in confliction causing further instability.