In southern Syria’s Sweida, a fragile peace is taking hold as Bedouin tribal fighters fully withdrew from the city late Saturday, Syrian interior authorities announced.
After intense negotiations and the deployment of security forces in Sweida’s northern and western neighborhoods, “all tribal fighters have been evacuated from the city and the clashes have ceased,” said spokesperson Noureddin al-Baba in a televised statement.
The withdrawal follows a three-phase ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, Türkiye, Jordan and other regional actors. Since July 13, fighting between Bedouin groups and Druze armed factions has claimed at least 940 lives, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
Hours after the truce took effect, Druze fighters launched a counteroffensive, reclaiming key areas of Sweida city. Tribal forces, in retreat, responded with mortar fire that damaged infrastructure and risked civilian harm, the SOHR reported.
Earlier, Syria’s Druze spiritual leadership condemned the tribal militias for violating the ceasefire and urged international guarantors to enforce peace and halt “a campaign of terror and collective punishment” against Sweida residents.
Humanitarian needs in Sweida are mounting. The SOHR warns of collapsing medical services, including the city’s main hospital, widespread infrastructure damage and acute shortages of food and medicine. Relief groups are calling for urgent international support to prevent a deeper crisis.
As the ceasefire takes hold, Sweida’s residents and regional partners face the critical task of turning a fragile pause in violence into lasting stability.
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Bedouin fighters withdraw from Syria's Sweida after ceasefire efforts
cgtn.com
