Daijiworld Media Network - Damascus

Damascus, Jul 19: In a dramatic turn after days of deadly conflict, Syria’s government on Saturday declared an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida, aiming to end the escalating sectarian clashes that recently drew Israeli military intervention.

Labeling the truce a "national and humanitarian obligation," Syrian authorities said the ceasefire is intended to safeguard national unity and protect civilians amid what they described as “critical circumstances.”

All parties have been urged to halt hostilities and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The government also pledged to restore full state authority in Sweida, support the return of displaced civilians, and re-establish law and order. Any breach of the ceasefire, it warned, would be treated as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty.

The announcement followed a statement by US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who revealed that the truce was brokered by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Regional powers including Turkey, Jordan, and neighboring Arab states are also backing the deal.

The ceasefire comes after six days of intense sectarian fighting in Sweida that left hundreds dead and stoked fears of a wider regional conflict. The violence, rooted in long-standing communal tensions, recently intensified to the point that Israel launched heavy airstrikes in the area, citing security concerns.

According to reports from Syrian state media and local broadcasters, the ceasefire agreement includes several key measures:

• Syrian security and military forces will re-enter all areas of Sweida.
• All local armed factions must disband.
• Heavy weapons are to be surrendered.
• Former fighters will be reintegrated into state security structures.

In a significant gesture of support, the Druze spiritual leadership, whose followers make up a majority in Sweida, released a statement welcoming the truce and urging communities to “return to wisdom and reason.”

The sweeping ceasefire offers a moment of relief and a potential reset after years of marginal unrest in Sweida that had recently spiraled into full-blown conflict.