Syrian troops have withdrawn from the Druze-majority province of Sweida following deadly sectarian clashes. The government ordered the pullout after violence erupted between Druze fighters, Bedouin tribes, and army forces.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 500 people have been killed since the fighting began on Sunday. The conflict turned deadly after government troops entered the area to monitor a truce, which instead triggered more violence.
Residents in Sweida described a city in ruins. Shops were looted, homes were burned, and bodies lay in the streets. One local doctor described the damage as resembling the aftermath of a natural disaster.
The brief deployment of government forces also led to Israeli airstrikes. Israel warned that its strikes would continue unless Syrian troops withdrew. It also targeted military headquarters in Damascus during this period.
On Thursday, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed the nation in a televised speech. He announced that local community leaders would now take responsibility for security in Sweida. He said the move was in the country’s “supreme national interest.”
Sharaa also promised protection for the Druze community, saying the government would hold those responsible for harming them accountable. His administration has faced strained relations with minority groups since coming to power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December.
This is not the first time violence has erupted in the region. Earlier this year, government forces clashed with Druze fighters near Damascus and in Sweida, leaving over 100 dead. In March, more than 1,700 civilians, mostly Alawi, were killed on the Mediterranean coast.
The United States, Israel, Turkey, and Arab nations stepped in to prevent further escalation. U.S. officials confirmed that a ceasefire had been agreed upon and urged all sides to honor their commitments.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the truce was a result of Israel’s strong military action. Dozens of Druze on both sides of the Golan Heights border tried to reconnect with family members amid the chaos.
Despite recent peace talks, Israel remains cautious of Syria’s new leadership, especially due to past ties with extremist groups.
