Syrian troops withdraw from Suwayda following a Druze agreement to halt fighting; Ahmed al-Sharaa accuses Israel of attempting to stir up tensions and chaos in Syria, as fatal Israeli attacks on Gaza persist.
In the heart of Syria, tensions are running high as the Druze minority in the southern region of Suwayda fears potential reprisals from the government due to Israel's military aid. This escalating conflict, which has been a significant threat to Syria's post-war political transition, has attracted international attention.
The recent ceasefire, announced on July 17, 2025, was a critical development. Syrian government officials and leaders of the Druze religious minority reached this agreement through mediation by the United States, Turkey, and Arab countries. Under the terms of the agreement, Druze factions and clerics were given responsibility for maintaining internal security in Sweida, a region predominantly inhabited by Druze.
However, the ceasefire's stability has been questioned, with instances of violence continuing despite the agreement. Druze militants have reportedly launched attacks on Bedouin communities, who had allied themselves with government forces. Furthermore, Israeli military actions persisted even after the ceasefire, complicating the situation further.
Israel's involvement in the conflict has been justified as protective measures for the Druze minority, which has cultural and religious ties to Israel, particularly in the Golan Heights. On the day the ceasefire was announced, Israel's military conducted strikes against targets in Syria, including the Syrian Defence Ministry headquarters in central Damascus. The Druze minority in the southern region of Suwayda has expressed gratitude towards Israel for the military aid.
However, the Syrian government has not acknowledged any assistance from Israel to the Druze minority. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has accused Israel of sowing divisions and trying to "ignite tension and chaos" in his country. The Syrian government has threatened to retaliate against Israel for its military aid to the Druze, leading to increased tension between the two nations.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, Syrian government forces have not yet withdrawn from the entire southern region of Suwayda. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing tensions between the Syrian government, Druze factions, and surrounding nations like Israel. The conflict highlights the complex political landscape in Syria and the challenges facing the country's post-war transition.
- As the ceasefire's stability is questioned due to ongoing violence and Israel's military actions, the complex politics of war-and-conflicts in Syria continue to make headlines in the general news.
- The Druze minority's gratitude towards Israel for military aid, despite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's denial of assistance and accusations of Israel sowing divisions, intensifies the political tensions between the two nations.
