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Syrian army begins withdrawal from Sweida after ceasefire deal

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Jul 2025 23:53
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

Syrian forces start pulling out of Sweida as part of a ceasefire agreement with Druze spiritual leaders, following days of armed clashes and local unrest.

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  • A tank for the Syrian government forces carried on a truck, which withdrew from Sweida city, passed at Mazraa village, southern Syria, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 (AP)
    A tank for the Syrian government forces carried on a truck, which withdrew from Sweida city, passed at Mazraa village, southern Syria, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 (AP)

Syrian Arab Army units began withdrawing from the southern city of Sweida on Wednesday, marking the implementation of a ceasefire agreement reached between the Syrian state and senior Druze religious leaders in the province, according to the state-run SANA news agency.

The withdrawal follows an earlier announcement by the Interior Ministry confirming that a full ceasefire had been agreed upon after several days of armed clashes and heightened security tensions in the city.

The HQs of the Druze Muslim Community in Syria also issued a statement declaring an immediate halt to all military operations and confirming that all sides had committed to de-escalation.

Committee to oversee implementation of ceasefire

A joint monitoring committee composed of representatives from the Syrian government and Druze religious leadership has been formed to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire.

As part of the agreement, internal security checkpoints will be established across Sweida, manned by police officers and local security personnel from within the province.

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The deal is seen as a step toward restoring calm in a region that had witnessed rare but intense armed unrest in recent days, with casualties reported and local governance temporarily disrupted.

Syria says ceasefire deal reached

The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed earlier on 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.

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.

  • Syria
  • Syrian Arab Army
  • Sweida
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation

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