That's what it's about

• After days of violence, Syrian government troops are withdrawing from Suwayda; 360 deaths have been reported.
• A ceasefire between Druze, Bedouins, and government troops is intended to calm the situation.
• Israel intervened in the conflict and carried out airstrikes on Damascus.

After days of violence in southern Syria, government troops have begun withdrawing from the predominantly Druze town of Suwayda, according to activists. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also announced overnight that the death toll since the outbreak of violence over the weekend had risen to 360. The number cannot be independently verified. However, the information provided by the UK-based observatory, which monitors the conflict in Syria with a network of activists, is generally considered reliable.

According to media reports, the government announced that it would immediately cease all military operations in accordance with a new ceasefire agreement. However, a Defense Ministry statement on the withdrawal of troops from Suwayda did not mention the withdrawal of other security forces from the city, it said. A committee of government representatives and Druze clerics will monitor the implementation of the ceasefire, according to reports.

USA expects end to violence

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously announced that the US had spoken with all parties involved in the conflict and had agreed on concrete steps to end this disturbing and horrific situation later Wednesday evening. All parties must honor the commitments they have made, Rubio wrote on Platform X.

After violence erupted between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouins in Suwayda province, the Syrian government sent troops and other security forces. It stated that it wanted to ensure stability and protect civilians. However, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the troops and security forces fought alongside the Bedouins and against Druze militias.

Israel then intervened, claiming to protect the Druze minority. On Wednesday, the Israeli Air Force also bombed targets in the capital, Damascus, including the Defense Ministry compound, where the military headquarters are located, and a target near the presidential palace. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 15 members of the Syrian Defense and Interior Ministries were killed in the Israeli airstrikes.

Israel threatens further attacks

He has ordered a further increase in reconnaissance and attack capacities in order to be able to strike more forcefully as needed and stop the attacks against the Druze in Syria, Israeli Chief of Staff Ejal Zamir explained at a briefing in the Golan Heights. Israel feels obligated to protect the Druze, in part because many of them serve in the Israeli military. They are a religious minority that emerged from Shiite Islam. They live mostly in Syria, but also in Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. The Syrian province of Suwayda in the south is their stronghold.

On Wednesday, several Druze from Israel again attempted to cross the border into Syria to support other Druze there. According to the Israeli military, dozens of suspects also attempted to cross from Syria into Israeli-controlled territory. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, these were Druze seeking protection in Israel.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an end to the fighting. He unequivocally condemns all violence against civilians, including reports of arbitrary killings and acts that inflame sectarian tensions, said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. The incidents deprive the Syrian people of their chance for peace and reconciliation after 14 years of brutal conflict. Guterres also condemned Israel's attacks in the neighboring country and called for an immediate end to all violations of Syrian sovereignty.

Initially, there was confusion as to whether the ceasefire between Druze, Bedouin, and government troops was truly accepted by all sides. There were conflicting statements from the Druze leadership. One of their spiritual leaders, Yusuf al-Jarbu, published the terms of the ceasefire. According to them, Suwayda would be integrated into the structures of the state and Damascus would gain control over the entire province.

Confusion about ceasefire

At the same time, the Druze clerical leader Hikmat al-Hijri contradicted claims that such a ceasefire had been agreed upon. He called on fighters to continue resisting criminal gangs that were wreaking death and destruction in Suwayda. Suwayda must be liberated unconditionally from these forces. He stated that there are no negotiations and no agreement with armed gangs that call themselves the government. A ceasefire had already been announced in Syria on Tuesday, but al-Hijri had contradicted it. New fighting broke out soon after.

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