What’s Behind the Recent Ceasefire in Syria? A Closer Look at the Escalating Conflict

Ceasefire Announced Amidst Rising Tensions

In Busra al-Harir, Syria, the Defence Minister declared a ceasefire shortly after government troops moved into a significant city in the southern Sweida province. This announcement followed violent sectarian clashes that resulted in numerous fatalities.

Israel has once again conducted airstrikes on Syrian military positions, citing the need to protect the Druze minority.

The recent surge in violence, attributed to the new Syrian leadership, stemmed from a series of retaliatory kidnappings and assaults between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed groups in this predominantly Druze region.

Government forces, deployed to restore order, engaged in confrontations with Druze factions.

Details of the Ceasefire

On Tuesday, Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra revealed that a ceasefire agreement was reached with local leaders, stating that government forces would only respond to direct threats from outlaw groups.

Despite this announcement, sporadic clashes persisted, alongside accusations of security forces violating civilian rights.

The Interior Ministry reported over 30 deaths on Monday, but the numbers have not been updated since. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, indicated that 166 individuals had died since Sunday, including women and children.

Among the deceased were 21 individuals reportedly executed by government forces, including 12 men in a local rest house. The exact number of civilian casualties remains unclear, with reports of security personnel looting and burning homes.

Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has instructed authorities to take immediate legal action against anyone found guilty of misconduct, regardless of their position.

Journalists in Sweida observed government forces at checkpoints inspecting vehicles and seizing suspected stolen items from both civilians and military personnel.

Israeli Strikes and Their Implications

Israeli airstrikes targeted convoys of government forces moving towards the provincial capital of Sweida and other southern regions.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that these strikes aimed to protect the Druze community and ensure disarmament near the Israeli-Syrian border.

In Israel, the Druze are regarded as a loyal minority, with many serving in the military.

Israeli Cabinet member Amichai Chikli called for the elimination of al-Sharaa without delay.

Personal Accounts from the Conflict

Manhal Yasser Al-Gor, a member of the Interior Ministry forces, is recovering from shrapnel injuries sustained during an Israeli strike on his convoy. He recounted that they were entering Sweida to secure civilians and prevent looting when they were attacked.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli strikes, claiming they resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians and soldiers, labeling them as ongoing aggression and interference in Syria's internal affairs.

The ministry emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the Druze, who are integral to Syria's national identity.

Concerns Over the New Syrian Government

Israel has adopted a confrontational approach towards Syria's new leadership since the ousting of former President Bashar Assad, expressing concerns about militants near its borders.

Israeli forces have taken control of a UN-monitored buffer zone in Syrian territory along the Golan Heights and have conducted numerous airstrikes on military installations in Syria.

Earlier on Tuesday, Druze religious leaders in Syria urged armed factions clashing with government forces to surrender their weapons and cooperate with authorities. However, one prominent Druze leader later retracted this call, citing continued violence against civilians.

Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, who has opposed the Damascus government, claimed that the initial statement was made under a false promise from the authorities, who continued to shell unarmed civilians.

He described the situation as a total war of annihilation, although he did not provide evidence to support his claims.

Videos circulating on social media depicted armed fighters abusing Druze captives, including instances of forcibly shaving men's moustaches.

Escalating Sectarian Violence

The Druze sect, which originated as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, has a significant population in Syria, with over half of the approximately 1 million Druze worldwide residing there. The remainder are primarily in Lebanon and Israel, including the Golan Heights, which Israel captured in the 1967 war.

Since the fall of Assad, there have been multiple clashes between forces loyal to the new Syrian government and Druze fighters, raising fears of escalating sectarian violence. A recent ambush on government forces by Assad loyalists led to widespread sectarian and revenge attacks, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths, predominantly among Assad's Alawite sect.

Despite the formation of a commission to investigate these attacks, no findings have been made public.

The reports of soldiers' misconduct have sparked outrage and protests among Druze communities in Lebanon, northern Israel, and the Golan Heights, with some protesters crossing into Syrian territory.

The violence has drawn international attention, with the US envoy to Syria expressing concern over the situation and advocating for a peaceful resolution involving all parties.