The city of Sweida in southern Syria saw a return to relative calm following days of clashes, as Bedouin fighters withdrew and international mediation helped initiate a ceasefire process.
Sweida, a predominantly Druze city in southern Syria, experienced a reduction in violence on Sunday after Bedouin fighters reportedly left the area and local security forces moved in to enforce a ceasefire. The recent hostilities, which began with clashes between Druze and Bedouin factions, have resulted in hundreds of casualties and drawn regional and international attention.
Interior Minister Anas Khattab said that Syrian internal security had restored a degree of order and were working towards a full ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Reuters footage showed government forces setting up checkpoints and controlling movement near Sweida.
A U.S. envoy, Tom Barrack, stated that a cessation of hostilities was in effect and described ongoing efforts to organise a full exchange of detainees.
Despite the calm, local residents have reported severe shortages in water, electricity, and medical services. Several residents speaking to Reuters described ongoing humanitarian needs, with hospitals reportedly out of service and damaged infrastructure in parts of the city.
Aid convoys have faced obstacles. The Syrian government reported that one of its convoys was turned back by local factions, though assistance provided by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent was allowed entry.
The recent violence has raised concerns about Syria’s internal stability under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He has pledged to investigate reported abuses and ensure accountability, particularly concerning allegations that Syrian troops were involved in close-range shootings of civilians during the recent unrest.
The conflict in Sweida comes amid broader tensions. The Israeli military carried out airstrikes last week, targeting Syrian government positions in support of the Druze community. Israel stated it aims to maintain a demilitarised buffer near its borders, while the U.S. clarified that it does not endorse the Israeli strikes.
Meanwhile, the Syrian presidency announced on Sunday that it had received an inquiry report into unrelated violence in the coastal region earlier this year, where allegations were made against government forces in connection to the deaths of Alawite civilians. Authorities pledged to review the findings and pursue accountability measures.
Monitoring groups have released varying estimates of casualties in the Sweida region. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported at least 321 deaths since 13 July, including civilians and fighters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has placed the toll significantly higher at 940, though Reuters has not independently verified these numbers.
The situation in Sweida remains fluid as efforts continue to stabilise the region and address the humanitarian aftermath of the recent conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees progress between Israel and Lebanon after talks with Netanyahu, while Hezbollah has rejected a new ceasefire ...
Azerbaijan is once again at the centre of global climate diplomacy, hosting World Environment Day 2026 and bringing together international leaders, po...
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations ag...
The Eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly has concluded in Samarkand, bringing together representatives from 186 countries to set environm...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tchiani in Ankara on Thursday, underscoring Türkiye’s growing engag...
Türkiye says it welcomes a seven-step Syrian roadmap that aims to preserve calm, ensure stability and prevent renewed conflict in Sweida province in the south of the country.
Syria will hold its first parliamentary elections under the new Islamist administration next month, but several provinces will be excluded due to ongoing security concerns.
Syria and Israel aim to boost stability in southern Syria and the broader region according to reports.
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Syria, brokered by the U.S. with support from Turkey and Jordan, allows Syrian internal security forces brief access to Sweida for 48 hours to help stabilize the Druze-majority region after over 300 deaths.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said in a statement that its Aerospace Force did not strike the Kuwait Airport passenger terminal on Wednesday, and that the destruction was instead caused by a failed U.S. Patriot missile.
Five Azerbaijani citizens have been killed and three others injured following drone attacks on two cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire after U.S.-backed talks in Washington. The deal requires Hezbollah to halt attacks and withdraw from southern Lebanon, while both sides will resume direct talks later this month aimed at reaching a broader agreement.
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
As Armenia heads toward parliamentary elections on 7 June, the country's relationship with Azerbaijan is emerging as one of the defining issues of the campaign, with analysts and international observers highlighting the role of regional politics in shaping voters’ mindsets.
The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with around 600 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births.
Azerbaijan is once again at the centre of global climate diplomacy, hosting World Environment Day 2026 and bringing together international leaders, policymakers and organisations to address urgent environmental challenges.
The Eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly has concluded in Samarkand, bringing together representatives from 186 countries to set environmental priorities and approve new funding for climate, biodiversity and sustainable development initiatives.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who bear much of the responsibility for securing water for their families.
Azerbaijan is increasingly positioning itself as a strategic bridge between East and West, using a combination of diplomacy, energy cooperation and regional connectivity to expand its international influence.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment