For its part, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced this morning that “a state of cautious calm prevails in the city of Sweida, following violent clashes that erupted and continued until the early hours of the morning between local Druze groups and tribal gunmen in villages located on the Damascus-Sweida road.”

Israeli bombing and government’s apparent complicity in sectarian clashes have damaged efforts to unify country

Syrian president vows state will protect its Druze minority, hold those behind the violence accountable; dismisses efforts to drag Syrians into hands of any 'external party'

Syrian President Sharaa announces troop deployment amid deadly Bedouin-Druze clashes and fragile Israel-brokered ceasefire.

“We came here to work,” said Ismael Abu Al Khayer, who’s in charge of community relations. He portrayed Damascus as backward compared to Idlib. “We have electricity, food and water, and high-speed internet. We have modern cars. You can pay bills by phone. It is an electronic government,” he said, referring to his former city.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Thursday that protecting the Druze citizens and their rights is "our priority", as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria.

The United States said early Saturday that it had negotiated a ceasefire between Israel and Syria's government as new clashes erupted in Syria's Druze heartland following violence that prompted massive Israeli strikes.

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa credited U.S., Arab, and Turkish mediation—led by President Donald Trump—for halting a full-scale war between Syria and Israel following intense Israeli airstrikes on Damascus.

The Islamist-led government's troops withdrew from the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, where scores of people have been killed in days of conflict.

Under Israeli bombardment and diplomatic pressure, Ahmed al-Sharaa pulled troops from Syria's Druze heartland -- a move that exposes the interim leader's weakness just as he sought to assert control.Since seizing office in December after ousting longtime autocrat Bashar al-Assad,

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced the truce between Israel and Syria early on Saturday, saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa,