Syria Begins Troop Withdrawal from Sweida Amid Ceasefire, Israeli Strikes, and U.S. Mediation

Last Updated Jul - 17 - 2025, 05:50 PM | Source : Fela News

Syria starts pulling back troops from Sweida after deadly clashes, Israeli airstrikes on Damascus, and U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Over 350 killed; tensions remain

Syria Begins Troop Withdrawal from Sweida Amid Ceasefire

Syria announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, that its army has started withdrawing from the conflict-ridden city of Sweida, following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Damascus and calls from the United States for Syrian forces to exit the predominantly Druze southern region.

The United States, a close ally of Israel, has been working to reset ties with Syria and confirmed that a deal had been reached to ease the situation. Washington urged all parties involved to stick to the commitments they made as part of the agreement.

Earlier, the Syrian government declared a new ceasefire aimed at halting military operations in Sweida after clashes that reportedly left over 350 people dead since Sunday. According to the Syrian defence ministry, the army had begun its pullback after completing operations to clear the city of "outlaw groups." However, the statement did not mention the status of other security forces deployed to Sweida a day earlier under a separate truce agreement brokered with Druze leaders after intense fighting with Bedouin tribes.

Despite the ceasefire, eyewitnesses said that government troops and Bedouin fighters had jointly attacked Druze combatants and civilians, triggering further bloodshed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the violence in the province had resulted in more than 350 deaths, including soldiers, local fighters, and at least 27 Druze civilians allegedly executed without trial.

In response, the Syrian presidency promised to investigate the killings and bring those responsible to justice.

Damascus strikes

Israel, which has a Druze minority of its own, has positioned itself as a protector of Syria's Druze community. However, some analysts believe this stance masks broader military goals aimed at keeping Syrian forces away from the Israeli border.

Since the fall of long-time Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December, Israel has taken control of the UN-monitored demilitarised zone in the Golan Heights and has launched numerous airstrikes inside Syria.

This week, Israel bombed parts of Sweida, claiming to defend Druze populations. On Wednesday, it expanded the strikes to the capital, Damascus. Images from AFP showed a damaged section of the defence ministry building, with smoke rising from the area. Israel said it also struck a military site near the presidential palace, while Syrian officials reported explosions near Mazzeh military airport.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz urged Damascus to stop targeting the Druze in Sweida and warned of further “painful blows” if government forces did not pull back. Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the Israeli strikes as a dangerous escalation, while Israeli military officials insisted they were acting with restraint and responsibility.

According to Syria’s health ministry, at least three people were killed and 34 wounded in the air raids on Damascus.

Ceasefire and Druze integration

The Syrian interior ministry announced a fresh ceasefire on Wednesday, calling for an immediate end to all military actions. It also proposed a joint committee of government officials and Druze spiritual leaders to monitor the ceasefire’s implementation.

Despite this announcement, gunfire continued in Sweida, an AFP correspondent reported. On state television, Druze religious leader Sheikh Youssef Jarboua read out the 10-point peace agreement, which includes a clause for the full integration of Sweida province into the Syrian state. The Druze had previously maintained a level of autonomy, controlling the area with their own fighters.

This marks the worst episode of violence in Syria since similar clashes erupted between Druze militias and government forces in April and May, which left more than 100 people dead.

The recent unrest was reportedly sparked by the kidnapping of a Druze vegetable seller, highlighting long-standing tensions between the Druze and Bedouin communities.

The Syrian government has faced criticism over its handling of religious and ethnic minorities and has frequently been accused of failing to protect them adequately.

International response

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced concern over Israel’s military actions and said Washington was urging both sides to de-escalate. A State Department spokesperson also confirmed that Syria was being asked to pull out its troops to enable peace efforts.

Rubio later posted on social media that all parties had agreed to specific steps to end the crisis and expressed hope that the commitments would be honoured.

Syria’s interim President speaks

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed the situation on Thursday, saying the protection of Druze citizens was a national priority. Speaking directly to the Druze community, he warned against external interference and emphasized that while Syrians are not afraid of war, they prioritize peace and stability over destruction. He reaffirmed that the government would act to preserve the dignity and unity of its people.