Damascus: Syria's interim government announced that sectarian clashes in the Druze province of Sweida have been "halted" following the withdrawal of tribal forces. The government has been working to implement a US-brokered ceasefire intended to prevent further Israeli military intervention in support of the Druze minority.
According to France24.com, the fighting ceased on Sunday after Druze fighters recaptured the southern city and state forces redeployed to the region. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that more than 900 people have been killed in the sectarian violence. Druze fighters expelled rival armed factions from the city on Saturday, after the government ordered a ceasefire under a US-brokered deal to prevent further Israeli military involvement.
Syria's interior ministry spokesman, Noureddine al-Baba, stated on Telegram that Sweida had been "evacuated of all tribal fighters, and clashes within the city's neighborhoods were halted." However, Bassem Fakhr, spokesman for the Men of Dignity, one of the largest Druze armed groups, told AFP that there was "no Bedouin presence in the city."
Despite the ceasefire in the city, fighting continued in other parts of Sweida province. The Druze regained control of their city after intense battles with armed Bedouin supported by tribal gunmen from other parts of Syria.
The US-brokered deal, announced early Saturday, was intended to cease hostilities. US pointman on Syria, Tom Barrack, revealed that interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "have agreed to a ceasefire" negotiated by the United States. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the Syrian government to prevent jihadists from carrying out massacres and to hold accountable those guilty of atrocities.
The agreement has backing from Turkey and neighboring Jordan, with Barrack calling for Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to disarm and work towards a united Syrian identity. Barrack later met with Syrian and Jordanian diplomats to discuss steps to support Syria in implementing the agreement.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel remains skeptical about Sharaa's commitment to protecting minorities, citing past violence against Alawites and Druze since Sharaa's rise to power.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 940 people have been killed since Sunday, including Druze fighters, civilians, government security personnel, and Sunni Bedouin. The violence has also resulted in the displacement of at least 87,000 people, according to the United Nations.
Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa announced that after the ceasefire's first phase, which involved deploying security forces, a second phase would open humanitarian corridors to assist those affected by the conflict.