A fragile ceasefire has been declared in southern Syria’s Suwayda province on Saturday, following intense fighting that left hundreds dead.
The move comes in the wake of days of deadly clashes between Druze and Bedouin armed groups, government forces, and Israeli airstrikes, with more than 300 reported dead.
The Syrian presidency stated: “In light of the critical circumstances the country is going through, and out of concern to spare Syrian blood, preserve the unity of Syrian territory, the safety of its people... the Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic announces a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire.”
The ceasefire was announced just hours after U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack revealed that Israel and Syria had reached a ceasefire agreement, supported by Washington and welcomed by Türkiye, Jordan, and other neighboring states.
In a post on X, U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye urged: “upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunni to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbours".
An unnamed Israeli official said Israel had agreed to allow the 'limited entry of the [Syrian] internal security forces into Suwayda district for the next 48 hours' to stabilize the situation.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israeli airstrikes were carried out Wednesday, including on Syria’s Ministry of Defense in Damascus and on government positions in Suwayda. Israel said the operations aimed to protect the Druze population amid ongoing ethnic tensions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the Druze “brothers,” emphasizing the community’s significance.
A U.S.-brokered truce between Druze leaders and the Syrian government briefly held before violence reignited Friday with fresh clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups.
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, warning against Israeli involvement, stated: “Syria will overcome attempts by Israel to tear the country apart through its aggression.”
He reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to protecting the Druze community while expressing a preference to avoid direct conflict with Israel.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, as Reut...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and D...
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celeb...
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconfer...
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stabilit...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the trend is supported by investment activity, industrial expansion and large-scale infrastructure projects.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Georgia to implement reforms to tackle youth unemployment. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15-24 are without a job in the country, according to World Bank data.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to publish the UK government's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan ahead of next month's NATO summit in Ankara, following growing pressure over the UK's military spending commitments.
Hundreds of protesters have torn down fences surrounding a planned luxury development site in Albania, as public anger continues to mount over construction in environmentally sensitive areas.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The global race to develop quantum computing is accelerating, with governments and technology firms investing heavily in what is expected to become a major new computing era.
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the trend is supported by investment activity, industrial expansion and large-scale infrastructure projects.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Georgia to implement reforms to tackle youth unemployment. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15-24 are without a job in the country, according to World Bank data.
Kazakhstan’s ruling Amanat party has announced it will merge with a party launched only a month ago by allies of the country’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
An Indian pollution regulator has accused a Tata components factory supplying Apple iPhones of contaminating groundwater near farmland with wastewater, raising the prospect of a forced shutdown unless the company provides a satisfactory response.
Uzbekistan will launch a new digital financial platform from 1 July aimed at simplifying access to finance for entrepreneurs, as part of broader efforts to support small businesses, encourage innovation and accelerate private sector development.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment