The Syrian Islamist-led government announced a ceasefire in Sweida following deadly factional violence. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa praised international mediation while criticizing Israeli airstrikes.

Israeli bombing and government’s apparent complicity in sectarian clashes have damaged efforts to unify country

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa asserted on Saturday that only the Syrian government has the authority and ability to restore order and safeguard na

For its part, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced this morning that “a state of cautious calm prevails in the city of Sweida, following violent clashes that erupted and continued until the early hours of the morning between local Druze groups and tribal gunmen in villages located on the Damascus-Sweida road.”

Syrian President Sharaa announces troop deployment amid deadly Bedouin-Druze clashes and fragile Israel-brokered ceasefire.

Syrian president vows state will protect its Druze minority, hold those behind the violence accountable; dismisses efforts to drag Syrians into hands of any 'external party'

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Thursday that protecting the Druze citizens and their rights is "our priority", as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria.

“We came here to work,” said Ismael Abu Al Khayer, who’s in charge of community relations. He portrayed Damascus as backward compared to Idlib. “We have electricity, food and water, and high-speed internet. We have modern cars. You can pay bills by phone. It is an electronic government,” he said, referring to his former city.

The United States said early Saturday that it had negotiated a ceasefire between Israel and Syria's government as new clashes erupted in Syria's Druze heartland following violence that prompted massive Israeli strikes.

The Islamist-led government's troops withdrew from the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, where scores of people have been killed in days of conflict.

Under Israeli bombardment and diplomatic pressure, Ahmed al-Sharaa pulled troops from Syria's Druze heartland -- a move that exposes the interim leader's weakness just as he sought to assert control.