Damascus: Syria's interim government announced that sectarian clashes in the Druze province of Sweida have been "halted" following the withdrawal of tribal forces and the redeployment of security personnel to the southern region. The government has been facing challenges in implementing a US-brokered ceasefire aimed at preventing further Israeli military intervention in support of the Druze minority. Over 900 individuals have reportedly died in sectarian violence, according to a local monitor.
According to France24.com, Druze fighters managed to expel rival armed factions from the city on Saturday. This development came after the government's decision to enforce a ceasefire following a US-brokered agreement to avoid further Israeli military involvement. The Syrian interior ministry's spokesman, Noureddine al-Baba, communicated via Telegram that Sweida had been "evacuated of all tribal fighters" with clashes ceasing within the city's neighborhoods.
Despite these advancements, Bassem Fakhr, the spokesperson for the Men of Dignity, one of the prominent Druze armed groups, informed AFP that there was "no Bedouin presence in the city" by evening. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights corroborated that "tribal fighters withdrew from Sweida city on Saturday evening" after a significant offensive by Druze fighters.
The situation remains volatile in other parts of Sweida province, despite the Druze regaining control of their city after intense battles with armed Bedouin backed by tribal gunmen from other Syrian regions. The US-brokered deal between the Islamist government and Israel had been announced by Washington early Saturday, with key figures including US pointman on Syria Tom Barrack, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreeing to a ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Syrian government forces to prevent jihadists from committing massacres, emphasizing accountability for atrocities. Barrack, who serves as the US ambassador to Ankara, noted the deal's support from Turkey and Jordan, urging various ethnic groups to unite peacefully.
Subsequent diplomatic discussions took place in Amman, focusing on practical steps to support the ceasefire agreement's implementation. The US administration, despite its ties with the Islamist president, criticized recent Israeli airstrikes on Syria and sought a diplomatic resolution for Sharaa's government.
In a televised address, Sharaa announced an immediate ceasefire in Sweida, reaffirming his commitment to protecting Syria's ethnic and religious minorities. However, Israel expressed skepticism regarding Sharaa's promises, highlighting ongoing violence against minorities since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported significant casualties, with at least 940 people killed since Sunday, including Druze fighters, civilians, government security personnel, and Sunni Bedouin. The Observatory also noted casualties from Israeli strikes and confirmed the opening of humanitarian corridors as part of the ceasefire's second phase.
The United Nations reported that the ongoing conflict has displaced at least 87,000 individuals, with efforts underway to provide humanitarian aid and stabilize the region.