Escalating Sectarian Violence in Syria Claims Over 50 Lives**

The ongoing sectarian violence highlights the government's challenges in unifying armed factions after the ousting of Assad, amid rising ethnic tensions.**

More than 50 individuals have lost their lives in violent confrontations in Syria’s southern province of Sweida, marking the second day of clashes between Bedouin factions and militias from the Druse religious community. Health officials and monitoring organizations reported the grim toll, emphasizing that the aftermath of the civil war continues to unravel as ethnic and sectarian tensions intensify.

The clashes, igniting on a Sunday, have left over 150 others wounded, underscoring the complexities faced by President Ahmed al-Shara's administration in establishing control of the region since the regime of Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December. Resistance from Druse militias against efforts to consolidate all armed factions under government command has further complicated the situation.

The situation escalated with the Syrian government's call for restraint and an influx of military forces aimed at decisively quelling the upheaval. A statement released by the Defense Ministry confirmed that their troops were facilitating safe evacuations for civilians fleeing the conflict zone. However, the efforts have seen dire consequences, as reports indicate that 18 soldiers sent to the area on Monday were killed, according to a defense official who remained unnamed due to the sensitive nature of military disclosures.