In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the United States after six days of fierce sectarian clashes in the southern province of Sweida.
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced the truce, saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa reached the deal under the sponsorship of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Regional neighbors Türkiye and Jordan also backed the agreement.
Barrack called on Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to lay down their weapons and help build a new, united Syrian identity based on peace and prosperity with neighboring nations.
The conflict in Sweida left hundreds dead and raised fears of a wider regional escalation. Under the terms of the truce, Syrian government security and military institutions will re-enter all parts of Sweida, local armed factions must dissolve and hand over heavy weapons, and former fighters will be integrated into state security structures.
The spiritual leadership of the Druze community welcomed the ceasefire, expressing readiness to end hostilities and return to dialogue. The deal also comes amid urgent humanitarian concerns, as United Nations convoys were previously blocked from reaching conflict zones in the province.
While Syrian authorities have yet to comment, the ceasefire could pave the way for renewed humanitarian access, reconstruction efforts, and regional trade. As young global citizens, tracking these developments offers insight into how diplomacy, on-the-ground realities, and cross-border cooperation shape the future of a region long in flux.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
