Armed clashes broke out in the Syrian city of Sweida late on Friday following a dispute between a group of factions that escalated into gunfire and the use of various weapons and projectiles, according to local sources and media reports cited by the German news agency dpa.

 

Syria TV quoted local sources as saying the clashes took place between a faction known as the “Security Office” of the National Guard, affiliated with Salman al-Hijri, the son of Hikmat al-Hijri, and local factions from the western countryside of Sweida.

 

A loud explosion was heard over the city. It was caused by a rocket-propelled projectile exploding in the air.

 

According to the sources, gunfire continued accompanied by explosions caused by RPG rounds and grenades near the provincial government building.

 

The Sweida 24 network reported that Ghaith Qantar, a commander in the security office, was wounded by gunfire during the clashes. It said the fighting also damaged several homes and sparked panic among civilians.

 

Sweida province continues to see intermittent clashes between Syrian government security forces and forces aligned with cleric Hikmat al-Hijri, despite a ceasefire that took effect on July 20, 2025.

 

Government security forces and al-Hijri’s forces share control of the province following the deadly violence that erupted on July 13 last year and killed more than 2,000 people, according to local estimates. The city of Sweida remains under the control of forces loyal to al-Hijri.