Syria’s state media, “Homeland News,” reported on the 16th that, in accordance with the new ceasefire agreement in Southern Syria’s Suwayda province, the Syrian Ministry of Defense and its armed forces began withdrawing from the provincial capital of Suwayda city that evening.
The report stated that the Ministry of Defense and its armed forces had completed their pursuit of “illegal” groups. It did not provide further details.
On the 16th, the Syrian government’s internal affairs department announced the establishment of a new ceasefire agreement in Suwayda province, which will see security checkpoints deployed in Suwayda city. The province is to be fully integrated into the governance of the Syrian regime.
On the 13th of this month, intense clashes broke out between the Druze armed factions and Bedouin tribes in Suwayda province. Following these conflicts, the Syrian government’s internal affairs and defense ministries’ armed forces intervened and engaged in firefights with some Druze armed factions. The prolonged conflict resulted in significant casualties.
Since the 14th, Israel has intervened in the armed conflict in southern Syria, launching fierce airstrikes on areas near the Syrian regime’s headquarters and buildings belonging to the Syrian Ministry of Defense on the 16th, raising concerns about the situation potentially escalating.
Currently, countries including the United States are engaging in mediation efforts to ease tensions between Syria and Israel as well as in the southern part of the country. On the 16th, Syrian state television quoted a statement from the foreign affairs department, welcoming the efforts made by the United States and Arab countries to resolve the current crisis. Syria is willing to cooperate with all parties seeking to ease the situation, provided it respects Syria’s sovereignty and aligns with the will of its people.