Ceasefire Agreement in Syria Following Recent Clashes
On Friday, the US envoy to Syria announced that a ceasefire has been reached between Syria and Israel.
Tom Barrack took to Social Media Platform X to urge Druzes, Bedouins, and Sunnis to lay down their weapons, emphasizing the goal of building a peaceful and prosperous new Syrian identity alongside other minorities.
He indicated that this agreement has the backing of the US, Türkiye, Jordan, and several neighboring countries.
This ceasefire follows recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Sweida and the southern region of Damascus. These strikes were a defensive measure for the Druze, an Arab minority that opposes the current Syrian president, Ahmad Alshara.
The Israeli operations struck multiple public buildings, including the Syrian Ministry of Defense located in central Damascus.
Violence erupted on June 13 when clashes broke out between the Druze militia and pro-government Bedouins. Although Syrian officials deployed troops to quell the fighting, these forces sided with the Bedouins instead.
In a show of support for the Druze, who have historically cooperated with the Israeli army, Israel intervened to protect them.
The most recent clashes have resulted in at least 100 casualties.
Both Syrian officials and the Druze leadership announced a ceasefire on July 17. However, hostilities resumed that very night. The Syrian president stated that the government would deploy professional forces to mediate and resolve ongoing conflicts.
The US is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to settle the situation.
On Wednesday, Barrack mentioned an agreed-upon measure aimed at ending the ongoing violence. He expressed expectations that all parties involved would adhere to the commitments made.
On Friday, Barrack spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, as reported by CNN.
The Syrian government has made efforts to ease religious tensions, especially since the removal of former president Bashar al-Assad last December.
President Alshara emphasized that safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the Druze community remains a top priority, rejecting any internal or external attempts to sow division among the different groups within Syria. He remarked on the importance of unity to maintain the country’s rich diversity.
Since the violence began, nearly 80,000 people have been reported evacuated by the UN, and there have been significant disruptions to the water and electricity infrastructure.
