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. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday as U.S. forces carried out multiple airstrikes in...
Tens of thousands of people marched through Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the fatal shooting of a woman by a U.S. immigration officer, as demonst...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of January, covering the latest developments you need to ...
A protester briefly replaced the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran at its embassy in London with a pre-1979 version during an anti-government demon...
Bob Weir, the rhythm guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78, his family has said....
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Despite facing challenges in chip manufacturing, Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) researchers are optimistic about narrowing the technological gap with the United States, driven by an increasing culture of risk-taking and innovation.
Elon Musk announced that the social media platform X will make its new algorithm publicly available, including all code related to organic and advertising post recommendations, in seven days.
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has called on South Korea to thoroughly investigate recent drone incidents and provide a detailed explanation, according to a statement released by state media KCNA on Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out ordering a mission to capture Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he is confident the war in Ukraine can be brought to an end.
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday (8 January).
Türkiye has stepped back from mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan after repeated efforts failed to narrow deep differences between Islamabad and Kabul.
Bob Weir, the rhythm guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78, his family has said.
Türkiye is reportedly in discussions to join the defence alliance between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a strategic move that could reshape security dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia.
A protester briefly replaced the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran at its embassy in London with a pre-1979 version during an anti-government demonstration on Saturday, witnesses said.
Iran’s security forces have intensified their crackdown on nationwide protests, with the elite Revolutionary Guards warning that safeguarding security is a “red line”, as unrest continued across the country.
Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official and adviser to the supreme leader, has said recent protests amount to a security crisis directed from abroad, warning that the aim is to polarise society and weaken national unity at a moment of heightened confrontation.
Syrian government forces have moved into Aleppo’s Sheikh Maksoud district after a temporary ceasefire with Kurdish fighters collapsed, the army said on Saturday, following several days of deadly fighting.
The controversial closure of the criminal case concerning the tragic crash of AZAL flight 1, which was shot down by Russian air defence systems last year while approaching Grozny, has uncovered a crucial new detail, according to Minval Politika.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment