DAMASCUS — Renewed fighting between Islamist armed factions, local security forces, and members of the Druze minority has erupted near the Syrian capital, further underlining the instability that continues to grip Syria more than a year after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The violence, which erupted in the southern outskirts of Damascus, left dozens dead and injured over the weekend, according to local sources and monitoring groups.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 25 people were killed in the clashes, including civilians and fighters from all sides.

The situation prompted international concern, with Israel confirming it had launched limited air strikes in the region, claiming the actions were aimed at “protecting Druze civilians from encroaching Islamist militants.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday, “Israel will not remain passive while Druze communities, including those with familial ties across our borders, are threatened by extremist forces.”

These developments underscore the enduring volatility in Syria, a country still reeling from the aftermath of 13 years of civil war, foreign interventions, and decades of autocratic rule under the Assad family.

The collapse of Assad’s government in 2024 initially sparked hope for a new era of peace and reconstruction. However, deep divisions among rival factions and the emergence of multiple power centers have made any return to national unity elusive.

The Druze minority, concentrated primarily in southern Syria, has long maintained a degree of neutrality throughout the conflict. However, their position has become increasingly precarious amid the rise of radical factions and the shifting balance of power.

Community leaders have appealed for international protection and support from regional actors, warning of “systematic attempts” to displace or intimidate Druze populations.

The new authorities in Damascus—an alliance of Islamist political groups, local militias, and some defected military officers—have pledged to restore order and build a new, inclusive Syria.

Yet, skepticism remains high, both domestically and abroad, due to the government’s ideological leanings and murky affiliations with jihadist movements.

In a televised address, the transitional government’s interior minister, Khaled al-Rashid, denounced the violence and blamed “rogue elements” and “external provocations” for stoking unrest.

“We will not allow Syria to be torn apart by sectarian agendas,” he said, promising swift action to restore calm. Analysts warn, however, that without a comprehensive political settlement and broad-based reconciliation, incidents like the recent Damascus clashes are likely to intensify.

“There is a dangerous vacuum of authority in many parts of Syria,” said Rami Khoury, a Middle East policy expert. “What we’re seeing now are the aftershocks of a revolution that remains incomplete.”

Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have raised alarm over worsening conditions in the affected areas, where electricity and water supplies have been disrupted and hundreds have reportedly fled their homes.

With foreign powers such as Israel, Iran, Russia, and Turkey maintaining strategic interests in Syria, the risk of broader regional escalation remains a looming threat.

The fragile peace in Syria, observers warn, could still unravel without coordinated international efforts to support dialogue, reconstruction, and minority protections.

As Syria stands at a precarious crossroads, its people continue to grapple with the consequences of revolution, war, and a still-uncertain future.