President Sharaa will send in more troops as hundreds are killed in southern Syria by sectarian clashes
Syrian President Sharaa declares the deployment of troops in the midst of deadly Bedouin-Druze violence and a tenuous ceasefire mediated by Israel.
To try to put a stop to the fatal sectarian conflict between Druze and Bedouin fighters near the city of Sweida, the Syrian presidency has announced preparations to send a military army to the country’s south.
The office of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a statement on Friday, urging “all parties to exercise restraint,” in response to reports of fresh fighting in the region. Since the fighting started on Sunday, about 600 people have reportedly died.
Residents of Sweida province have accused Syrian government troops of carrying out arbitrary executions and murdering Druze civilians, prompting the action. Israeli airstrikes were launched against Syrian positions in an attempt to drive the government forces out of the area.
Israeli officials reported that Israel had agreed to permit a limited deployment of Syrian Internal Security Forces into Suweida for 48 hours in order to safeguard Druze people, citing the province’s continued instability, just before the Syrian presidency announced the latest military deployment.
US ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack posted on social media site X on Friday, claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Sharaa had “agreed to a ceasefire.” Turkey and Jordan, two of Israel’s neighbors, have also endorsed the truce.
“We urge Sunnis, Druze, and Bedouins to lay down their weapons and work with other minorities to create a new, cohesive Syrian identity in harmony and prosperity with its neighbors,” Barrack wrote.
The ceasefire agreement has not been formally acknowledged by Israel or Syria.
Residents of Sweida, who are primarily Druze and adhere to a covert religion based on Shia Islam, have long harbored mistrust toward the current jihadist-led government in Damascus. They constitute religious minorities in Israel and Lebanon as well.
According to reports, violence against the Druze is starting to extend outside of Suweida to other regions of Syria.
According to UN human rights official Volker Türk, his office has received reliable claims of widespread atrocities in Sweida, including arbitrary killings and summary executions, that are being carried out by security forces, affiliates of the interim government, and local Druze and Bedouin armed groups.
Türk declared, “This violence and bloodshed must end.” “Those in charge must answer for their actions.”
During a Thursday broadcast speech, President Sharaa told the Druze minority that their safety was still a major concern and pledged accountability.
Since the Druze people are protected and under the state’s jurisdiction, Sharaa stated, “We are eager to hold accountable those who transgressed and abused our Druze people.”
Additionally, he attributed the continued conflict to “outlaw groups,” claiming that its leaders “rejected dialogue for many months.”
