The Syrian government announced on Wednesday evening that it would withdraw army units from the city of As Suwayda in the south-west of the country.
The Syrian government announced on Wednesday evening that it was withdrawing army units from the city of As Suwayda in the south-west of the country and declared an “immediate and complete cessation” of the offensive.
The Syrian government said it had agreed on a ceasefire with some, but not all, representatives of the Druze community. The previous truce had not been observed during several days of urban fighting. Hikmat Salman Al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, said he had not been involved in the two deals.
The authorities also promised to release all those detained during the unrest that began on July 11 and to locate those who are missing. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that “the state is obliged to protect the Druze and bring to justice all those who have committed crimes against them.”
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) accused Syrian Ministry of Defence and Interior Ministry officials of killing civilians during the crackdown on protests. According to human rights activists, at least 27 members of the Druze community were killed as a result of the security forces’ actions.
Israel has announced its intention to maintain the status quo in southern Syria and ensure security along its borders, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said.
“Our interests in Syria are known, limited and clear. First and foremost, to maintain the status quo in southern Syria, near our border, and to prevent threats to Israel in this area. Second, to prevent harm to the Druze community, with whom we have strong and enduring ties,” Saar stressed. He also added that any violation of Israeli interests in Syria would not go unanswered.
Earlier, the Israeli army struck a complex of buildings belonging to the Syrian General Staff in Damascus. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that strikes on Syria would continue if the country’s authorities did not withdraw their troops from the area of the city of As Suwayda, where the Druze live.
