Israel and Syria have finally agreed to a ceasefire after a week-long battle in Syria's southern Sweida province. The fighting involved Syrian government troops, armed Bedouin tribal groups, and the Druze minority. Reports say the conflict has already killed more than 300 people.

The truce was announced early Saturday by Tom Barrack, the US Envoy to Turkey and Syria. His announcement came even as Bedouin fighters and Druze groups continued their clashes in the region. The violence forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, making the humanitarian crisis even worse.

Israel’s Role and Airstrikes in Damascus

Earlier in the week, Israel launched several airstrikes, hitting Damascus and targeting Syrian government forces in southern Syria. Israel said its goal was to force the Syrian army to pull back from the fighting areas. According to Israeli officials, these attacks were intended to protect Syria’s Druze community—a small yet influential minority group that also has members in Lebanon and Israel.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Tom Barrack called for peace between Syria’s warring groups. “We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity,” Barrack wrote. He added that the ceasefire had the backing of Turkey, Jordan, and other nearby nations.

Syrian Forces Pulled Back After Israeli Strikes

Earlier this week, Syrian government troops withdrew from the fighting after reaching a separate peace deal with the Druze minority. This withdrawal happened after Israel’s heavy airstrikes, which not only damaged large areas but also hit Syria's Defence Ministry headquarters in central Damascus.

Israel defended its military action, saying it was necessary to protect the Druze. In Israel, Druze people form a loyal minority and many serve in the Israeli military.

Syrian Interim President’s Statement

Before the ceasefire was announced, Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa said that the government would send special forces to Sweida to stop the clashes and settle the conflict on the ground.

Bedouin-Druze Fighting Escalated

The situation in Sweida worsened after a ceasefire deal between the government and the Druze broke down. Soon after that agreement, Bedouin fighters launched attacks on the Druze. According to AFP reports, nearly 200 armed Bedouin fighters, using machine guns and shells, attacked the Druze minority.

The Bedouins, who reportedly received backing from the Syrian government, were joined by smaller tribal groups from different parts of Syria. These groups supported the Bedouins in their attacks on the Druze.

Clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes began last Sunday. Although Syrian forces initially stepped in claiming they wanted to restore peace, they eventually supported the Bedouins in their attacks against the Druze. Later, Israel responded by launching airstrikes against Syrian troops to protect the Druze fighters.

80,000 People Forced to Flee

The humanitarian situation in Sweida is worsening. On Friday, the United Nations’ migration agency revealed that nearly 80,000 people have been displaced since the violence started.

The UN also reported that critical services like electricity and water supply have collapsed in Sweida. Communication systems are badly affected, and health centres in both Sweida and Daraa are under immense pressure due to the influx of casualties.

“Severe disruptions to supply routes, with insecurity and road closures blocking aid deliveries,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN Resident and Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator in Syria. His statement highlighted the growing challenges in getting aid and basic supplies to the affected population.