Syrian Government Claims Fighting in Sweida Has Halted Following Tribal Forces Withdrawal.

Fighting in Syria's Sweida has halted after Druze fighters recaptured the city and state forces redeployed to the region. Over 900 people have been killed in sectarian violence since last Sunday. A U.S.-brokered deal, backed by Turkiye, Israel, and the Syrian government, led to a ceasefire, although fighting persists in other parts of Sweida province.

Fighting in Syria's Sweida has halted after Druze fighters recaptured the city and state forces redeployed to the region. Over 900 people have been killed in sectarian violence since last Sunday. A U.S.-brokered deal, backed by Turkiye, Israel, and the Syrian government, led to a ceasefire, although fighting persists in other parts of Sweida province.

The ceasefire was announced by Syria's Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, who stated that a complete ceasefire had been declared in the city after an agreement with its notables and dignitaries [1]. The clashes initially broke out due to contradictory statements from Druze religious leaders, with most urging fighters to lay down their arms. However, the conflict escalated when Syrian government forces entered the city to end the violence, which had already claimed at least 300 lives, including 154 civilians [2].

The ceasefire came as a result of intense diplomatic efforts, with the United States, Turkiye, and Israel playing significant roles in brokering the deal. Israel, in particular, has portrayed itself as the defender of the Druze community in Syria, launching a series of airstrikes on Syrian government forces to disrupt their arrival in the area [3]. The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, emphasized the deep historical and familial connections between Israel's Druze community and those in Syria, stating that Israel is committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria [3].

The ceasefire, however, is not without its challenges. While the fighting in Sweida has halted, clashes continue in other parts of Sweida province. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 594 people have been killed in the province since the violence began, with 300 of those being Druze from Sweida [2]. The violence has also raised concerns about the Syrian government's commitment to protecting minority communities, with allegations of sectarian violations and field executions [3].

The ceasefire in Sweida is a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Syria. It marks a rare moment of respite in a region that has been plagued by violence and instability for years. However, the ongoing clashes in other parts of Sweida province serve as a reminder that the conflict is far from over.

References:
[1] https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/cease-fire-declared-in-syrias-sweida-after-clashes-between-army-and-druze-militants-3204270
[2] https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250717-death-toll-from-syria-clashes-rises-to-594-after-days-of-sectarian-violence
[3] https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-07-15/syria-druze-israel