In a dramatic turn of events in southern Syria's city of Sweida, Bedouin tribal fighters have fully withdrawn following intensive ceasefire efforts. Syria's interior authorities confirmed that after deploying internal security forces across northern and western parts of the city, all tribal fighters had been evacuated, leading to an initial lull in the violence.
The ceasefire agreement—brokered by the United States, T\u00fcrkiye, Jordan, and other regional actors—was designed to halt a wave of violence that has claimed at least 940 lives since mid-July. However, the hope for long-lasting peace quickly faced a setback as fierce clashes erupted between Druze armed groups and the retreating Bedouin fighters.
Late Saturday, Druze fighters launched a counteroffensive, reclaiming key areas in Sweida while mortar attacks from withdrawing tribes caused significant material damage and raised concerns about civilian safety. In response, Syria's Druze spiritual leadership condemned the actions as "crimes that shame all humanity," urging international guarantors to enforce the ceasefire and protect the local population from a potential humanitarian catastrophe, marked by infrastructure damage and a collapsed main hospital. 😮🔥
This unfolding scenario serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges in achieving lasting peace amid complex local dynamics. Stay tuned as this story evolves, shedding light on both the diplomatic efforts and the human cost behind the headlines. ✨
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Bedouin fighters withdraw from Syria's Sweida after ceasefire efforts
cgtn.com
