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New ceasefire stabilises Sweida after weeks of violence
After nearly a week of sectarian clashes that killed more than 1,000 people, a fresh ceasefire announced on Saturday appears to be holding in Sweida province, the Druze heartland of southern Syria.
Escalated conflict ends with truce
Earlier agreements failed to end fighting between the long‑rival Druze and Bedouin groups, drawing in the Islamist‑led government, Israel’s military and armed tribes from other parts of Syria. The Saturday truce, however, seems to be keeping the peace.
- Government forces deployed in key locations to enforce the truce.
- At least one humanitarian convoy headed for the Druze‑majority city.
- Roads blocked by security troops to prevent tribal fighters from arriving.
AFP correspondents reported no clashes on Sunday morning; the city has “experienced a cautious calm” since midnight.
Civilian toll rises to 1,000+ deaths
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights updated its casualty count on Sunday:
- 336 Druze fighters and 298 civilian Druze victims.
- 342 government security personnel and 21 Sunni Bedouin killed.
- More than 128,000 people displaced by the violence.
Witnesses and Druze factions accuse government forces of siding with the Bedouin and committing summary executions when they entered Sweida days ago.
Interior ministry claims full evacuation
Overnight the ministry said Sweida city was fully evacuated of all tribal fighters and clashes within neighbourhoods halted. The Observatory said Druze fighters retook control of the city on Saturday evening.
Medical aid withheld amid security crisis
Medical staff inside Sweida reported no clashes and that “no medical or relief assistance has entered until now.” The national news agency SANA released images showing medical aid being prepared near the health ministry in Damascus, with the Health Minister saying assistance would soon reach Sweida’s main hospital, teeming with bodies.
Calls for peace from international actors
U.S. special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack wrote on X that the country is at a “critical juncture” and that “peace and dialogue must prevail—now.” He urged all factions to lay down arms, cease hostilities and abandon cycles of tribal vengeance. The United States and Israel had already negotiated a ceasefire around the same time, with Israel claiming it acted in defence of the Druze community and to enforce the demilitarisation of southern Syria.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Damascus to prevent jihadists from entering the south, to “carry out massacres” and to bring to justice anyone guilty of atrocities, including those within its own ranks.
Key takeaways
- A fresh ceasefire is holding after weeks of sectarian violence.
- Civilian and combatant casualties exceed 1,000.
- Displacement and humanitarian shortages remain critical.
- International pressure for an immediate end to hostilities continues.
