Syria announces ceasefire in Druze-majority Suwayda after deadly clashes

Syria's defence minister announced a ceasefire Tuesday in the Druze-majority city of Sweida on Tuesday after government forces entered the city to end deadly clashes with Bedouin tribes.

Fighting erupted earlier in the day as troops advanced into the southern city, which had been under the control of various Druze factions.

The escalation came after contradictory statements from Druze religious leaders, most of whom urged fighters to lay down their arms.

"To all units operating within the city of Sweida, we declare a complete ceasefire after an agreement with the city's notables and dignitaries," Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra posted on X.

"We will respond only to sources of fire and deal with any targeting by outlaw groups," he added.

Gunfire at the city's edge had since subsided. Earlier. There were intense clashes as government forces fought their way in.

"We will begin handing over neighbourhoods in Sweida city to the Internal Security Forces as soon as the combing operations are completed," Abu Qasra said.

Authorities had initially announced a curfew in the city to contain the unrest.

Syrian state-run news agency SANA later reported “Israeli” air strikes on Sweida as government forces were advancing.

“Israeli” Defence Minister Israel Katz had warned Damascus against targeting the Druze on Monday.

According to unverified reports, the violence allegedly began on Sunday when Bedouin gunmen abducted a Druze vegetable vendor on the highway to Damascus, prompting retaliatory kidnappings, according to reports which could not be verified.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported 102 people killed in the fighting -- 61 Druze, including four civilians, 18 Bedouin fighters, 16 security personnel, and seven unidentified people in military uniforms.