Syrian defense authorities announce ceasefire in Sweida following days of bloody confrontation

Syrian security forces are seen upon entering Sweida city, southern Syria, on July 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Syrian defense authorities on Tuesday declared a complete ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida following days of deadly clashes between local Druze armed factions, Bedouin tribes, and the interim government's forces, according to the defense authorities' chief Murhaf Abu Qasra.

In a statement posted on X, Abu Qasra said, "We have ordered a complete ceasefire for all units operating within the city of Sweida after reaching an agreement with local elders and dignitaries."

Abu Qasra said the Syrian army will only respond to active sources of gunfire, adding that strict instructions were issued to protect civilians, maintain social peace, and safeguard public and private property.

He added that neighborhoods in Sweida city will soon be handed over to the internal security forces once clearing operations are concluded. Armed police units have also been ordered to deploy inside the city to ensure discipline and accountability among the ranks.

According to the state-run al-Ikhbariya TV, Syrian army units began withdrawing heavy military vehicles from the city on Monday in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

The developments come after a sharp rise in violence over the weekend. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 99 people have been killed, and some 200 others wounded in the past two days. The toll includes 60 Druze civilians, among them two women and two children, 18 Bedouins, 14 soldiers of the interim government, and 7 unidentified individuals wearing military uniforms.

Earlier Monday, defense authorities spokesperson Hassan Abdel Ghani said 18 soldiers were killed and others wounded in what he called a "treacherous attack" by "outlawed armed groups."

In a parallel escalation, the Observatory reported that Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike targeting a Syrian army tank in Sweida province on Tuesday. The tank was completely destroyed, though no casualties were immediately reported. The airstrike came shortly after large army reinforcements entered the city.

The violence in Sweida was triggered by the assault and robbery of a Druze youth at a makeshift checkpoint by armed Bedouins near al-Masmiyah, followed by retaliatory kidnappings by Druze fighters. Tensions quickly escalated into widespread armed confrontations across Sweida city and surrounding rural areas.

Though heavy equipment are being pulled out and a fragile ceasefire is in place, the situation in Sweida remains volatile as an influential Druze sheikh, Hikmat al-Hijri, who had initially released a statement welcoming the entry of the interim government's forces, later called for "resisting this brutal campaign by all available means," saying in a video statement that the earlier statement was forced on them by the interim government.

Adding to the volatility, Israel has launched several strikes on Syrian forces around Sweida since Monday, sending a clear message to the new authorities in the name of protecting the Druze community in Sweida.