Government Syrian forces have withdrawn from the entire province of Sweida in southern Syria, where Druze communities predominantly live, according to statements made today by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and eyewitnesses to the French Press Agency. The withdrawal of government forces came after a ceasefire agreement announced yesterday, Wednesday.
Syria: Government forces withdraw from Sweida
Earlier today, Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa issued an announcement stating that by his decision, security responsibility in Sweida (southern Syria) is being “transferred to local factions and Druze sheikhs”. The province has been the scene of clashes since Sunday, in which over 350 people were killed, according to NGOs.
Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told the French Press Agency: “Syrian authorities withdrew their military forces from the city of Sweida and from the entire province, and Druze fighters have been deployed.” Members of government forces told a French Press Agency correspondent near Sweida province that they had received orders to withdraw shortly before midnight and had completed their withdrawal by dawn.
The head of local website Suwayda 24, Ragian Maarouf, told the French Press Agency that: “The city of Sweida appears empty of any government forces presence,” adding that the situation is “catastrophic, the streets are full of corpses.”
Israel responds with bombardments
Last Sunday (13/7), clashes erupted between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters, who have had tense relations for decades. Two days later, on Tuesday (15/7), the Syrian government deployed forces to the area aiming to restore order, but eyewitnesses and Druze groups accused it of fighting against Druze factions.
In response, Israel, which opposes any Syrian military presence near its borders and claims it wants to protect the Druze community, retaliated by bombing Damascus and other areas of the country. Aiming to de-escalate tensions with Israel, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce yesterday called on the Syrian government to abandon the conflict zone in the southern part of the country.
