EDITOR’S NOTE: Clashes resumed in Syria’s Suweida city after this article and its accompanying radio broadcast were published. Syrian government officials and leaders in the Druze religious minority later declared a ceasefire, but it’s not clear if the latest truce will hold.
Syria (MNN) — Syria’s defense minister announces a ceasefire as government tanks roll into a key city in Suweida province, home to the Druze minority.
But a critical question remains – will the truce hold?
Samuel of Redemptive Stories says, “The government will use this as an opportunity to assert control there, which is something that they’ve not been able to do yet since the fall of Assad’s regime. Even Assad couldn’t control that area.”
Monday’s clashes between Druze and Bedouin fighters left over 90 people dead and hundreds wounded. It is the latest outbreak of deadly sectarian violence since rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December.
“The Bedouins are Sunni Muslims; they’ve been the enforcers, perhaps, of the current government in areas in the south,” Samuel says.
“Anytime they see something that conflicts with their beliefs, they will take action. The fighting has now spread, including Christian areas like Kharaba.”
Violence began in the region on Sunday, two days after a Druze merchant was reportedly abducted on the highway to Damascus.
Syria’s government wants to keep the kerfuffle local; a fracture in Suweida risks drawing in international players. Israel targeted a Syrian military tank as forces pushed further into Druze territory.
“They (Druze) are often protected by Israel, because there are some high-ranking officials in the Israeli government and military who are Druze,” Samuel says.
Samuel says Syrian Christians have been active among the Druze, but their outreach is currently on hold due to the unrest. Pray that the Druze community can encounter the peace of Christ no matter what happens next.
“Pray that our brothers and sisters will use this chance to communicate God’s story of hope. Even in the midst of conflict, the church has a role to play, to care for their neighbors and to love them,” he requests.
Header image is a representative stock photo of the Syrian flag. Photo courtesy of Abdalhady Mansour via Pexels.
