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Rabat — Syrian government troops have cleared Bedouin fighters from the city of Sweida and declared an end to deadly clashes that killed at least 260 people over the past week.
The announcement came Saturday after President Ahmed al-Sharaa ordered a new ceasefire between Bedouin and Druze groups. The US also brokered a separate deal to stop Israeli attacks on Syria.
According to converging sources, the violence began when someone kidnapped a Druze truck driver on a public highway. This sparked revenge attacks that drew tribal fighters from across the country to support the Bedouin community in Sweida province.
Syrian troops joined the fighting, which soon escalated beyond the initial dispute. Israel then launched heavy airstrikes on Sweida and Damascus on Wednesday, claiming it wanted to protect the Druze minority after some accused government forces of abusing them.
The Syrian army withdrew from Sweida on Thursday as the fighting intensified.
Syrian health officials report 260 deaths and 1,700 wounded, though other groups estimate more than 900 people died. The fighting displaced over 87,000 people from their homes.
Reports of machine gun fire and mortar shelling continued in Sweida city and nearby villages even as officials announced the ceasefire.
Syria’s Interior Ministry spokesman Nour Al Din Baba said government forces deployed to northern and western areas of Sweida province after “intensive efforts” to implement the ceasefire.
“The city of Sweida has now been cleared of all tribal fighters, and clashes within the city’s neighborhoods have been brought to a halt,” Baba told the official Sana news agency.
President Al Sharaa called on all groups to lay down their weapons and help restore peace.
“While we thank the clans for their heroic stance, we call on them to follow the ceasefire and obey state orders,” Al Sharaa said in a televised statement, adding that “everyone must understand this moment requires unity and full cooperation.”
Bedouin factions announced they would pull their fighters from Sweida city after consulting with local clans and tribes.
“We have decided to follow the ceasefire, focus on reason and restraint, and allow state institutions the space to restore security and stability,” the groups said in a statement.
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