The Syrian government has begun withdrawing its military forces from the southern city of Suwayda following several days of intense and deadly clashes between Druze fighters and government troops. According to a human rights organization, at least 169 people have been killed and over 200 wounded in the violence.
The conflict erupted over the weekend as tensions flared between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes. Government forces entered the area in an attempt to stop the violence and bring order, but the situation escalated rapidly. Footage aired on Syrian state television Wednesday night showed military convoys pulling out of the city.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Thursday that Syria was faced with two options: wage war with Israel or pursue peace with the Druze community. “We are not afraid of war,” he said during a televised speech, “but we choose to shield our people from chaos and destruction.”
The Druze, a minority religious group with communities in Syria, Israel, and Lebanon, are mostly based in Suwayda and the surrounding regions. Many in the Druze community remain skeptical of the country’s new leadership, which took power after Islamist rebels forced out the previous regime.
Israel intervened this week, stating its intention to protect the Druze population. It launched airstrikes on Damascus, targeting government facilities and reportedly killing at least three individuals. One missile hit the Ministry of Defense during a live television broadcast, prompting the anchor to seek cover on air.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Trump administration had assisted negotiations among the involved parties for truce. “We expect all sides to honor the terms they’ve agreed upon,” Rubio stated.
The Syrian government confirmed that the ceasefire includes a complete halt to military operations and grants Druze leaders a role in overseeing local security. Youssef Jarbou, a Druze leader, support for the agreement. However, another prominent figure, Hikmat al-Hijri, rejected the deal and urged his followers to continue resisting.
The United Nations has requested all sides to de-escalate. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the violence and criticized Israel’s airstrikes. He called on all involved to respect Syria’s sovereignty and bring an end to the hostilities.
Whether the ceasefire will hold remains uncertain. A similar truce collapsed just a few hours after being announced. Tensions are still high as Syria continues its efforts to stabilize a nation long scarred by civil war.
