Syria's Interior Ministry Announces End of Sweida Clashes, Tribes Vow to Respond to Any Breach

SadaNews - The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced the cessation of clashes in the city of Sweida (southern Syria) and the evacuation of the area from tribal fighters following the deployment of Syrian security forces to impose a ceasefire, while the Council of Tribes and Clans vowed to respond to any breach of the agreement.

The ministry's spokesperson, Nour al-Din al-Baba, stated late Saturday that authorities had made diligent efforts to implement the ceasefire, explaining that internal security forces were deployed in the northern and western areas of Sweida governorate.

The Council of Syrian Tribes and Clans announced that all its fighters had moved out of Sweida in compliance with the ceasefire, and warned that any "breach of the agreement by outlaw groups will be met with a harsh response from the tribes' members."

The Syrian Ministry of Information had reported that internal and general security forces began their deployment in Sweida governorate as part of the first phase, and to facilitate the ceasefire agreement and the disengagement of armed groups.

The ministry added that an emergency committee had been formed, comprising various ministries and government agencies, to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to the governorate, followed by a phase to activate state institutions and the gradual and organized deployment of internal security elements throughout the governorate.

The Syrian Ministry of Health announced the dispatch of an urgent medical convoy to Sweida, consisting of 20 fully equipped ambulances, along with specialized medical teams, and large quantities of medicines and medical supplies.

In return, the spiritual leadership of the Druze called on the guarantor states of the ceasefire agreement to assume their responsibilities and uphold their commitments to protect civilians.

They stated that members of the community have been in a state of self-defense for days, accusing what they termed attacking gangs of not adhering to the ceasefire, and called for the imposition of direct international protection for the Druze community in Syria.

These developments came hours after the Syrian presidency announced a new agreement with Druze factions that included a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire in Sweida.

The presidency warned that any breach of this agreement constitutes a "blatant violation of national sovereignty, which will be met with necessary legal measures according to the constitution and applicable laws."

Syrian Minister of Information Hamza Mustafa presented details of the agreement, stating that "the first phase involves the deployment of internal security forces as conflict resolution troops in most of the western and northern countryside of Sweida, in addition to key routes outside the cities to prevent friction."

The second phase includes "the opening of humanitarian crossings between the governorates of Daraa and Sweida to facilitate the exit of civilians, the wounded, and anyone wishing to leave Sweida," while the third phase aims to "activate state institutions and the gradual deployment of internal security elements in the governorate according to the agreements reached, ensuring a return to normal life and law enforcement."

It is worth noting that bloody clashes have been ongoing since last Sunday between Bedouin tribes and Druze groups in Sweida, escalating into retaliatory operations. Meanwhile, airstrikes carried out by Israel on Syrian provinces, purportedly to "protect the Druze," have hindered government forces' efforts to contain the crisis.

The clashes escalated following the withdrawal of government forces last Wednesday evening, under an agreement with local groups in the governorate.

Syrian health authorities reported that 260 people had been killed and 1698 others wounded in the Sweida clashes, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the deaths of 321 people due to fighting since last Sunday, including medical service workers, women, and children.