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Syria presidency to send new force to halt clashes in south Suweida: Syria presidency announces ceasefire after clashes between Bedouin and Druze
(about 4 hours later)
Syrian security forces in Suweida. Photo: 16 July 2025 Syrian security forces in Suweida
The Syrian presidency says it will deploy a new force to halt the deadly sectarian clashes between Bedouin and Druze fighters in the south of the country. The Syrian presidency has announced an "immediate ceasefire" in the southern city of Suweida to try to bring an end to a week of sectarian violence that has left hundreds dead.
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's office urged "all parties to exercise restraint", amid reports of renewed fighting near the city of Suweida on Friday. There have been chaotic gun battles on city streets between the local Bedouin tribesmen and the Druze community, with both accused of atrocities. Graphic footage shows bodies strewn in the streets."
More than 700 people are reported to have been killed since the violence erupted on Sunday. Government troops deployed to the area were accused by residents of killing Druze civilians and carrying out extrajudicial executions. "This moment requires unity of ranks and complete cooperation in order to overcome what we are all going through," Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa said.
Israel later struck targets in Syria to force the troops to withdraw from Suweida province. On Friday, the US ambassador to Turkey said that Israel and Syria had agreed a ceasefire. The ceasefire came as Syrian internal security forces were deployed to Suweida to end the clashes - a move approved by Israel as long as the Druze citizens were protected.
In a post on X, ambassador Tom Barrack said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sharaa "have agreed to a ceasefire" embraced by Syria's neighbours Turkey and Jordan. Israel intervened in the conflict earlier this week, hitting government forces and the defence ministry building in Damascus as it declared support for the Druze.
"We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbours," the envoy said. Suweida's Druze community follows a secretive, unique faith derived from Shia Islam, and distrusts the current government in Damascus. They are a minority in Syria, as well as in neighbouring Israel and Lebanon.
Israel and Syria have not publicly commented on the reported ceasefire agreement. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR), 718 people have been killed since the violence erupted on Sunday.
Shortly before Sharaa's office announced its planned military deployment to the south, an Israeli official said Israel had agreed to allow the limited entry of Syrian Internal Security Forces personnel into Suweida for 48 hours to protect Druze civilians "in light of the ongoing instability". Watch: How a day of bombing unfolded in Damascus
Suweida's predominantly Druze community follows a secretive, unique faith derived from Shia Islam, and distrusts the current jihadist-led government in Damascus. They are a minority in Syria, as well as in neighbouring Lebanon and Israel. The clashes initially started between Bedouin fighters and Druze factions, before drawing in government security forces that were sent to the area.
US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, first announced that Syria and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire on Friday. He said the truce was supported by neighbours including Turkey and Jordan, however Israel has yet to comment on the agreement.
"We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbours," Barrack, who is also Washington's Special Envoy for Syria, said.
The BBC's Middle East correspondent Lina Sinjab, reporting from Syria, said violence towards the Druze is spreading across the country.The BBC's Middle East correspondent Lina Sinjab, reporting from Syria, said violence towards the Druze is spreading across the country.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR), 718 people have been killed since the violence erupted. Earlier this week, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said his office had received credible reports indicating widespread violations and abuses during clashes, including summary executions and arbitrary killings in Suweida.
Earlier this week, the UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, said his office had received credible reports indicating widespread violations and abuses during clashes, including summary executions and arbitrary killings in Suweida.
Among the alleged perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim government, as well as local Druze and Bedouin armed elements, Türk said in a statement.Among the alleged perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim government, as well as local Druze and Bedouin armed elements, Türk said in a statement.
"This bloodshed and the violence must stop," he warned, adding that "those responsible must be held to account"."This bloodshed and the violence must stop," he warned, adding that "those responsible must be held to account".
The BBC has contacted the Syrian government and security forces about allegations of summary killings and other violations. In his comments on Saturday morning, the Syrian leader said that his government "is committed to protecting all minorities and sects in the country and is proceeding to hold all violators accountable from any party. No one will escape accountability."
In a televised address early on Thursday, Sharaa vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable and promised to make protecting the Druze a "priority".
"We are eager to hold accountable those who transgressed and abused our Druze people because they are under the protection and responsibility of the state," he said.
He went on to blame "outlaw groups", saying their leaders "rejected dialogue for many months".