Washington: US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced that Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, with support from Turkey, Jordan, and neighboring countries. On Wednesday, Israel conducted airstrikes in Damascus, targeting government forces in the south, citing the protection of Syrian Druze as their primary concern. The Druze are a small but influential minority with followers in Lebanon and Israel.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Barrack urged minorities, including Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis, to lay down their arms and help build a new, united Syrian identity. The ceasefire agreement, supported by Turkey, Jordan, and neighboring countries, marks a significant diplomatic development in the region.
The Israeli embassy in Washington and the Syrian consulate in Canada have not yet commented on the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Syria's Sweida province has experienced nearly a week of violence due to clashes between Bedouin fighters and Druze factions. Earlier, an Israeli official stated that Israel would allow Syrian forces limited access to the Sweida area for two days to address the unrest.
The Syrian presidency announced plans to deploy a force in the south to resolve the clashes, coordinating with political and security measures to restore stability. Earlier in the week, Syrian government troops were dispatched to manage the situation but faced accusations of widespread violations against the Druze. Israeli strikes targeted these troops, leading to their withdrawal under a truce agreed upon on Wednesday.
Despite Israel's previous stance against allowing Syrian troops in the south, they have now agreed to a brief entry to address the renewed clashes. An unnamed Israeli official confirmed this decision, emphasizing the ongoing instability in southwest Syria and permitting Syrian internal security forces limited access to the Sweida district for 48 hours.