Recent military developments in southern Syria have drawn international attention to the province of Sweida, where shifting local power dynamics and regional security concerns have intersected. Following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, the region has seen the rise of Druze militia groups, identified as the “National Guard,” which consolidated control over the area by July 2025. This transition has prompted repeated military interventions by neighboring Jordan, citing a need to combat narcotics trafficking operations allegedly facilitated within the province.
The security landscape in Sweida remains volatile, shaped by the aftermath of intense hostilities in July 2025 that resulted in approximately 1,700 deaths. A United Nations investigation into these events concluded that various actors, including government forces, Bedouin tribal members, and Druze militias, were implicated in actions described as war crimes, with the transitional government noted as having the highest level of complicity. Since the fall of the previous regime, the region has increasingly functioned outside the direct authority of Damascus, creating a complex vacuum that regional powers are monitoring closely.
Jordanian Military Operations and Regional Security
Jordan has taken an active role in responding to the security challenges emanating from southern Syria. On May 3, 2026, the Jordanian military conducted an operation dubbed “Jordanian Deterrence,” launching airstrikes against at least six locations in Sweida. According to an official statement from the Jordanian military, these strikes targeted facilities, warehouses, and factories utilized by trafficking groups as staging points for smuggling operations across the border. This marked the third time such an operation had occurred since the Druze militias established control of the area, and the fifth time Jordan has engaged in military strikes in the province since December 2024.
The persistence of these smuggling routes remains a significant concern for regional stability. The Jordanian government has framed these actions as necessary measures to secure its borders against the flow of illicit narcotics. The ongoing nature of these military engagements highlights the difficulty of establishing a centralized security apparatus in southern Syria in the absence of a unified national government.
Local Governance and Militia Influence
The internal governance of Sweida is currently managed by a political council loyal to al-Hajari, supported by the National Guard militias. The consolidation of this power structure followed the localized conflict between Druze and Bedouin groups in mid-2025. This shift has fundamentally altered the socio-political fabric of the province, as the Druze-majority area seeks to maintain autonomy while navigating the pressures of neighboring states and the broader Syrian transition.
The influence of these militias is not merely local; it is deeply tied to the broader Druze identity. In Israel, the Druze minority maintains a significant presence within the national military, fostering strong sentiments of solidarity with Druze communities across the border. This domestic dynamic has influenced the regional perspective on the security of Sweida, as various stakeholders observe the evolving status of the province’s power brokers.
International Monitoring and Future Developments
The situation in Sweida serves as a focal point for understanding the fragility of the post-Assad era in Syria. As international observers continue to track the humanitarian and security impacts of the ongoing conflict, the focus remains on whether the current power structures in Sweida can stabilize the region or if further external interventions will be required. The United Nations’ findings regarding the involvement of multiple factions in war crimes during the 2025 hostilities underscore the complex accountability challenges that lie ahead for the province.
Observers are currently awaiting further reports from regional monitoring bodies regarding the effectiveness of recent border security measures and the potential for diplomatic engagement to replace the current cycle of air strikes. As of June 7, 2026, no new military operations have been officially announced, though the region remains under close observation by neighboring states. For ongoing updates on this developing situation, readers are encouraged to consult official reports from the United Nations or statements released by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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