The violence rate in Suwayda in southern Syria has been increasing on a daily basis in the absence of the rule of law. On Feb. 1, the local Suwayda24 website published a report revealing that 29 people had been killed in January, as a result of separate violent incidents in the governorate.

Meanwhile, the local community has been calling on activating laws or allowing the local police to assume its role, or else, they would have to resort to community protection to confront the deteriorating security situation — in reference to tribal reconciliation that many Syrians resort to in order to resolve their differences based on traditions and customs. Notables of respected social standing supervise the implementation of the tribal reconciliations that produce sustainable solutions, which enhances their role in light of the weak rule of law and the many de facto authorities.

Suwayda resident Mohanad Barakah told Al-Monitor, “The Syrian regime — like any de facto authority that is currently ruling — is not in control of the law and cannot implement it. We are thus calling on activating the role of the tribal judiciary and community protection. People are trying to protect their properties from theft and assault, in light of the chaos and the crimes committed by gangs backed by the regime’s security services.”

He said, “After the Islamic State attacked Suwayda’s eastern villages in 2018, people took up arms to defend themselves. Many also started carrying weapons for fear of arbitrary arrest by the security services, and fear of attacks by gangs. Illegal activities such as fuel trade [smuggling] also promoted the spread of weapons among young people, and all this contributed to increasing violence in the area.”