Daijiworld Media Network- Damascus
Damascus, Jul 17: In a dramatic turn of events, Syrian authorities and Druze leaders jointly announced a new ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida on Wednesday, amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes that have intensified tensions across the war-torn country.
The truce announcement comes after violent clashes between Druze armed groups and Sunni Bedouin tribes escalated into a larger conflict, prompting Syrian military intervention and unprecedented Israeli strikes deep within Damascus.
Convoys of Syrian government troops began withdrawing from Sweida following the ceasefire announcement by the Interior Ministry and a Druze religious leader. However, doubts remain about the truce’s durability, especially after a similar attempt on Tuesday collapsed within hours. Prominent Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri publicly distanced himself from the agreement, casting further uncertainty over its future.
Despite the ceasefire call, Israeli airstrikes continued, targeting the Syrian Defense Ministry in Damascus and areas near the presidential palace. According to Syrian officials, at least three people were killed and 34 injured in the strikes on Wednesday alone.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning on social media platform X, stating that Israel would “continue to attack regime forces until they withdraw” and hinted at more aggressive action if its warnings go unheeded. The Israeli military has already redeployed a brigade from Gaza to the Golan Heights, anticipating multiple conflict scenarios.
Reports suggest that more than 300 people have died since the violence began earlier this week, including children, women, and Syrian military personnel. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported 27 field executions and alleged sectarian attacks on both Druze and Alawite communities, reminiscent of the brutal days of the Syrian civil war.
The situation has triggered widespread panic among the Druze community. In Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, 20-year-old Evelyn Azzam shared a harrowing account of losing contact with her husband, who was shot by security forces while commuting to Sweida. “They shot my husband in the hip,” she said tearfully. “Since then, we have no idea what has happened.”
In the UAE, several exiled Druze residents spoke anonymously about family members hiding in basements, enduring shelling and airstrikes. One woman likened the chaos to the 2018 Islamic State attack on Sweida, where her uncle died defending the province.
Social media videos showed disturbing scenes of pro-government militias desecrating Druze symbols, forcibly shaving the mustaches of Druze elders, and burning homes. In retaliation, footage surfaced of Druze fighters executing captured soldiers and posing with their bodies. AP journalists confirmed looting and destruction on both sides.
Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, in his televised statement, condemned all acts of violence, especially against civilians and religious minorities. “These actions go against the core values of our nation,” he said, vowing accountability for those responsible.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed grave concern over the worsening Israel-Syria conflict, describing it as stemming from a “misunderstanding.” He confirmed that Washington is in communication with both sides to de-escalate tensions.
The recent violence poses the biggest challenge yet to Syria’s fragile post-war transition following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December after a 14-year-long civil war. The new government, predominantly Sunni, has struggled to win the trust of religious and ethnic minorities—especially the Druze and Alawite communities.
As Syria stands at a critical juncture, the coming days will determine whether the ceasefire can hold—or whether the country will plunge back into another round of sectarian bloodshed.