Syria and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire following days of intense clashes and air strikes in Syria’s southwestern Suwayda province, the US ambassador to Turkey announced early Saturday.
Ambassador Tom Barrack stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the truce had been “supported by the United States” and “embraced” by neighboring countries, including Turkey, Jordan, and others in the region.
The agreement marks a tentative pause in escalating violence that has left hundreds dead in the ethnically volatile Suwayda region.
Barrack also issued a call for unity among Syria’s diverse communities, urging “Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to lay down their arms” and work alongside other minorities toward a peaceful and inclusive national identity.
Neither the Syrian government nor Israeli officials have issued formal public statements confirming the ceasefire.
However, an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters Friday that Israel had agreed to a 48-hour window allowing limited operations by Syrian internal security forces in Suwayda, citing the ongoing instability there.
The ceasefire follows a series of air strikes carried out by Israel on Wednesday. Among the targets was Syria’s Ministry of Defence in central Damascus, as well as government positions in Suwayda province. Israel claimed the operations were intended to protect Syria’s Druze minority, who have been caught in the crossfire of sectarian violence involving Druze, Bedouin, and pro-government forces.
Wednesday's Israeli attacks reportedly killed at least three people and wounded 34 others, casting doubt over the viability of a ceasefire reportedly brokered that same day by the US, Turkey, and several Arab nations between Druze leaders and the Syrian government.
In a televised address Thursday, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa reaffirmed the government's commitment to defending the rights of the Druze community, emphasizing that while Damascus prefers peace, it is “not afraid of war.” He accused Israel of exploiting sectarian tensions to destabilize Syria.
Meanwhile, clashes reignited between Druze and Bedouin tribal forces in Suwayda on Friday, prompting the Syrian government to redeploy troops to restore order in the predominantly Druze region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously referred to the Druze population—estimated at one million in Syria and 150,000 in Israel—as “brothers,” further underscoring the complex ethnic and political dynamics at play in the region.
Source: Al Jazeera
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