Syria's Druze leaders divided over ceasefire; IOF vow more operations
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The Druze leadership in Syria split over implementing the Sweida truce amid conflicting reports of whether a ceasefire deal was actually reached.
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Druze from Syria protest in the Israeli-occupied Majdal Shams of the occupied Golan Heights, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 (AP)
The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed Wednesday that an agreement has been reached to implement a comprehensive ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida, following days of armed clashes and failed truce efforts.
According to a source in the Ministry, cited by the SANA news agency, the ceasefire entails an immediate halt to all military operations and the commitment of all parties to end hostilities. The agreement follows mediation efforts by both state authorities and local Druze leadership.
In a formal statement, the headquarters of the Druze Muslim Community in Syria announced the full cessation of hostilities, with Sheikh Youssef al-Jarbou stating that a joint monitoring committee, comprising representatives of the Syrian state and prominent Druze sheikhs, will oversee the implementation of the truce.
As part of the ceasefire terms, checkpoints will be jointly manned by members of the national security forces and police officers from the state, as well as police affiliates from Sweida. The agreement emphasizes respect for civilian life, the sanctity of private homes, and the protection of public and private property.
Regulation of armament, rights
The deal also includes a mechanism to regulate heavy weaponry in coordination with the Syrian Ministries of Interior and Defense, aiming to eliminate overt displays of arms and restore full security control to the Syrian state across the province.
In addition, the agreement commits to guaranteeing citizens’ rights in Sweida through laws based on justice and equality among all social groups. Immediate efforts are to be made to restore basic services in the province, including water, electricity, fuel, and healthcare, while the Damascus-Sweida highway will be secured by state forces to ensure safe travel.
Read next: Sweida residents demand state intervention, control over province
The statement also confirmed that the agreement includes the release of detainees and the immediate disclosure of the fate of individuals who went missing during recent unrest.
This comes a day after the Progressive Socialist Party’s media commission in Lebanon revealed it had been engaged in intensive multi-level talks to help bring about a ceasefire in Sweida, warning of further bloodshed if tensions persisted.
Druze leadership split over ceasefire agreement
The Druze community in Syria is characterized by having several spiritual leaders, and while that includes al-Jarbou, it also includes Sheikh Ahmad al-Hijri, as well as Sheikh Hammoud al-Hinnawi.
As al-Jarbou declared that a ceasefire deal was reached, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri declared that the fight to defend Sweida must continue until the province is fully liberated, rejecting any negotiations or ceasefire agreements with armed factions operating in the area.
In a firm statement issued by the spiritual leadership, Sheikh al-Hijri emphasized that "the continuation of defense and fighting is a national, humanitarian, and moral duty that cannot be compromised." He called on the remnants of what he described as "criminal gangs" to immediately lay down their arms and surrender.
"There is no agreement, negotiation, or mandate granted to the armed gangs that falsely claim to be a government," Sheikh al-Hijri stated, stressing that any attempt to engage with such groups contradicts the unified position of the Druze leadership.
He also warned that "any individual or party that deviates from the unified stance and engages in communication or agreement with these groups will be held accountable without exception or leniency."
Conditions for accepting the agreement
The Men of Dignity movement in Syria’s Sweida governorate declared Thursday that no agreement will be accepted unless it includes the complete withdrawal of all invading forces responsible for what it described as “unprecedented atrocities” and “brutal massacres” against innocent civilians in the province, acts the group says amount to war crimes.
In a strongly worded statement, the group stressed that it would not compromise on the demand for full withdrawal from every village and town that has been overrun.
Following the martyrdom of several of its prominent commanders and fighters during recent battles, the movement affirmed its continued resistance, vowing to “defend until the last fighter capable of carrying a weapon,” unless the occupation forces retreat from all areas they have entered by force.
'Israel' acting 'decisively' in Sweida
The Israeli occupation’s Northern Command chief, Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin announced on Wednesday that the Israeli occupation forces are escalating their military operations in southern Syria, particularly around the Sweida region, targeting what he described as "Syrian regime positions."
Speaking to Israeli media, Gordin stated that the Israeli occupation forces were acting “decisively” and intend to maintain pressure by increasing both the intensity and frequency of strikes in the area. “We are continuing the attack,” he said, signaling a prolonged military campaign in southern Syria.
These remarks come in the wake of reports from Israeli outlets that the occupation army has made the strategic decision to withdraw its elite 98th Division from northern Gaza and redeploy it to the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
Shortly after the statement, SANA's correspondent reported that the Israeli occupation aircraft targeted with two raids the east of the town of Ghabagheb in the northern countryside of Daraa province.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike targeting a military vehicle belonging to Syrian government forces in the city of Sweida earlier in the day.
According to Syrian Observatory sources, several loud explosions were heard in the area, though no confirmed details on casualties or damage have been reported so far.
SDF voices solidarity with Sweida
Meanwhile, the Commander of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, voiced solidarity with the people of Sweida, revealing that he has received urgent appeals from residents requesting the establishment of safe passages and the cessation of attacks on civilians.
Abdi condemned the killing of women and children, as well as the targeting of religious figures, describing such actions as crimes against humanity and violations of Syrian values. "These acts of aggression must end immediately, and those responsible must be held accountable," he stated.
