Syria Ceasefire Declared Amid Sectarian Clashes in Sweida

Busra Al-Harir, Syria, Jul 15 (AP) Syria's defense minister announced a ceasefire soon after government forces entered a key city in Sweida province on Tuesday. This announcement followed deadly sectarian clashes and reports of an Israeli airstrike in the area.

Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra stated that, following an agreement with the city's notables, they will only respond to direct threats and unlawful groups. Clashes began with tit-for-tat kidnappings involving local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed groups in Sweida, a central area for the Druze community.

Government forces, dispatched on Monday to establish order, also faced conflicts with Druze groups. Meanwhile, Israel struck a Syrian government tank, claiming it was protecting the Druze religious minority.

Within Israel, the Druze are viewed as a loyal minority, frequently serving in their armed forces. The state-run Syrian news agency, SANA, did not specify details about Tuesday's strike, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israel targeted a Syrian military tank as forces advanced further into Sweida city. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

Earlier, Druze religious leaders in Syria urged armed factions clashing with government forces to disarm and collaborate with the authorities entering Sweida's capital. However, this call was later retracted in a video message by a prominent Druze religious leader.

The initial statement prompted armed factions to cooperate with interior ministry forces, surrender their weapons, and initiate dialogue with the Syrian government. Brig. Gen. Ahmad al-Dalati, the Internal Security commander in Sweida, welcomed this initiative, calling for unified national support to extend state authority and secure the province.

However, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader opposing the Damascus government, expressed in a video message that promises from Damascus were broken, continuing indiscriminate shelling on civilians. “We face a war of annihilation,” he stated.

Social media videos depicted armed individuals mistreating Druze captives, with sectarian tensions evident. The Druze, a minority group stemming from a 10th-century Ismaili offshoot, mainly reside in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, particularly the Golan Heights.

The recent fighting, spurred by a rebel offensive against President Bashar Assad, has heightened fears of escalating sectarian violence. In March, government forces were ambushed by Assad loyalists, leading to widespread sectarian attacks, notably impacting the minority Alawite community. An investigation into these events remains undisclosed.

Concerns regarding Israeli intervention are mounting. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Monday that military action was taken as a warning to the Syrian regime not to harm Druze communities. Although many Druze in Syria oppose Israeli intervention, there is skepticism towards new Damascus authorities, particularly after attacks on Alawites and other minorities. (AP) GRS GRS

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