Violence Resurges in Syria After Armed Groups, Kurdish-Led SDF, Clash With Government Forces

Latest Developments

• SDF Clashes With Troops: The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) claimed on August 4 to have repelled an “attack” by “factions affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government” on four of its positions in the village of al-Imam. The incident occurred days after the Syrian Defense Ministry accused the SDF of launching a rocket barrage against an army outpost on August 2, which the SDF claimed was retaliation for an unprovoked government artillery attack on civilian-populated areas. Separately, the SDF announced on August 3 that five of its fighters had been killed during an Islamic State attack on a checkpoint in Deir ez-Zor on July 31.
• Renewed Violence in the South: Armed groups in southern Syria’s Suwayda province reportedly attacked Syrian security forces on August 3, killing one and injuring four others. Syrian state media accused the unidentified armed groups of violating an agreed-upon ceasefire in the predominantly Druze region. The U.S.-brokered truce in mid-July ended several days of violent clashes between Bedouin and Druze factions in Suwayda, during which the IDF launched several airstrikes against Syrian government troops and assets in defense of the Druze population.
• IDF Conducts Raids in Southern Syria: The IDF stated on August 3 that it had operated against four targets in “the Khader area” of southern Syria, arresting “several suspects involved in arms trafficking.” Jerusalem said that it had confiscated “numerous weapons” being traded by the suspects and that the operation’s goal was to continue “to prevent the establishment of terrorist elements in Syria.” The IDF remains deployed at nine points in southern Syria and has operated up to 15 kilometers deep inside the country in the months following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

FDD Expert Response

“Tensions in Syria over the weekend highlight how fragile the country’s stability remains, even months after Assad’s fall. It’s not certain that these centrifugal forces won’t tear the country apart again. Meanwhile, a Druze star on a combat vest shown among the weapons seized by the IDF in Khader underscores the complex nature of Syria’s social and political loyalties. If Syria falls apart again, Israel should stay out of it, especially since friends are hard to tell from enemies. Instead, Israel should focus on protecting its own interests — the safety of the State of Israel and its citizens — through active, strong defense and by avoiding involvement in Syria’s internal conflicts.” — David Daoud, Senior Fellow

“The weekend clashes between different armed factions and the Syrian government demonstrate the fragility of Syria’s stability and interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule. Sharaa, along with the SDF and the Druze factions, must acknowledge that only a political settlement can resolve their differences. This means Sharaa must offer meaningful proposals to guarantee the rights of all communities, while these groups must be prepared to negotiate their integration into the state. Fragmentation will only create opportunities for hostile actors, like Iran and ISIS, to exploit Syria’s divisions.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“UN report shows Islamic State and Al Qaeda exploiting post-Assad chaos in Syria,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“Choose the Druze,” by Clifford D. May

“Can Syria’s President Control His Troops?” by Ahmad Sharawi

“Replacing Iran with Turkey Is a Recipe for Disaster in Syria,” by Hussain Abdul-Hussain