Syria: Evacuation Operations in Sweida Amid Efforts to Stabilize Ceasefire

SadaNews - Buses belonging to the Syrian government have entered the city of Sweida in southern Syria as part of evacuation operations for the injured and detainees, coinciding with official efforts to stabilize a ceasefire agreement following days of violent clashes that resulted in dozens of deaths.

"Syrian News" reported that the government buses have begun evacuation operations from inside the city, while the police chief of Sweida, Brigadier Ahmed Dalati, clarified that the government's mediation with local parties resulted in an agreement to release the detained Bedouin families and ensure their safe return.

Dalati emphasized the need to respect the ceasefire agreement and create conducive conditions for the return of state institutions, ensuring the restoration of security and stability in the governorate.

For his part, Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated that internal security forces have managed to calm the situation in Sweida after deploying in the northern and western neighborhoods of the city, indicating that this deployment represents a first step towards controlling the chaos of weapons and stabilizing security, paving the way for the commencement of prisoner exchanges and the gradual return of life to normalcy in the governorate.

In a related context, a humanitarian aid convoy has entered Sweida as part of the emergency response announced by the authorities. A government source stated that the convoy entered without the accompaniment of an official delegation after Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri refused to allow its entry.

The spiritual leadership of the Druze community welcomed the arrival of humanitarian aid, describing the governorate as "disastered," praising any effort that contributes to saving lives and alleviating the suffering of the residents.

For its part, the Sweida governorate confirmed that it is working to reactivate government institutions and raise essential needs to the relevant authorities in order to gradually restore life.

The Syrian Civil Defense announced that it has provided essential supplies inside the shelters in cooperation with humanitarian organizations.

In contrast, the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the prevention by what it described as "armed militias outside the law" from allowing a humanitarian convoy that was being escorted by government figures, including three ministers and the Governor of Sweida.

As part of its efforts to contain the crisis, the Syrian government announced reaching four ceasefire agreements in Sweida, the most recent of which was last Saturday.

However, the three previous agreements collapsed quickly, with the latest violation occurring on Friday when new clashes erupted following the actions of a group affiliated with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, which displaced a number of individuals from the Bedouin tribes and committed violations against them.