A fragile ceasefire took effect Wednesday night in Syria’s southern province of Sweida, bringing a tentative halt to days of deadly clashes that have shaken the region. The violence, which pitted government forces against local Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes, has left at least 302 people dead, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The de-escalation came just hours after Israel launched airstrikes on the Syrian capital Damascus, targeting government and military sites. The Israeli military stated that the strikes were in response to Syrian operations against the Druze community in Sweida, claiming they were intended to “deter further aggression” and “defend vulnerable communities.”
The ceasefire agreement was reached between the Syrian government and Druze spiritual leaders after four intense days of fighting. Under the terms of the deal, hostilities are to cease immediately, government troops will return to their barracks, and Sweida will be reintegrated under state control. Local police will staff internal security checkpoints across the city, and a joint monitoring committee of government officials and Druze clerics will oversee the implementation of the agreement.
Sheikh Youssef Jarbouh, a prominent Druze spiritual leader, confirmed the terms of the ceasefire and urged all sides to honor the accord. “We must come together to restore peace and stability to our province,” he said. However, not all factions are in agreement. Influential Druze cleric Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri rejected the deal, vowing to continue what he called “legitimate resistance” until Sweida is fully “cleansed” of armed government forces.
The recent escalation in Sweida began on Sunday after reports that armed members of a Bedouin tribe assaulted and robbed a young Druze man near the town of al-Masmiyah, along the Damascus-Sweida highway. The incident sparked retaliatory kidnappings and soon spiraled into full-scale clashes involving local Druze fighters, government troops, and Bedouin militias.
Sweida, a province with a majority Druze population, has largely remained on the sidelines of Syria’s ongoing conflict. However, limited government presence and local discontent have created a volatile environment. Many in the Druze community have been seeking greater autonomy and protection amid fears of marginalization.
Israel’s airstrikes on Damascus marked a significant escalation. At least five missiles struck key government and military sites, including the Syrian Army’s General Command headquarters and the defense ministry compound in Umayyad Square, a central and symbolic location in the capital. Additional strikes hit near the Al-Shaab presidential palace.
Footage from the scene showed widespread destruction, with smoke rising over central Damascus. Syrian health authorities reported that at least one civilian was killed and 19 others injured in the strikes. The General Command building suffered extensive damage, and several nearby government buildings and roads were destroyed.
The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the Israeli assault as a “flagrant violation of Syrian sovereignty and international law,” warning that it could lead to wider instability in the region. “These aggressive actions only serve to escalate tensions,” said a ministry spokesperson.
With the ceasefire now in place, the coming days will be critical in determining whether peace can hold in Sweida. The situation remains fragile, and divisions within the Druze community may pose challenges to sustained calm. The people of Sweida are watching closely, hopeful that this agreement will pave the way for lasting stability in their province.
