Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed the nation on 17/7, explaining the decision to withdraw troops from Sweida, a southern city with a large Druze population. "We are not afraid of war. Our history is replete with battles fought to defend our nation. However, we have chosen the path that prioritizes the well-being of the Syrian people over chaos and destruction," he said.

Clashes between Syrian government forces, Bedouin militias, and Druze gunmen in Sweida prompted Israeli airstrikes against the Syrian army. Tensions escalated on 16/7 when Israeli warplanes targeted the Syrian Ministry of Defense headquarters and an area near the Presidential Palace in Damascus. US diplomats intervened quickly to prevent the conflict from spreading between the two neighboring countries, persuading Syria to withdraw troops from Sweida and reach a ceasefire with the Druze militia.

Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the nation on 17/7. Photo: Times of Israel

Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the nation on 17/7. Photo: Times of Israel

Al-Sharaa said the country faced two choices: a "direct war" with Israel at the cost of Druze citizens' lives, or allowing Druze clerics to prioritize national interests. The Syrian government chose the latter to avoid war.

He accused Israel of seeking to divide the Syrian people, exploiting "outlaw groups" that have refused dialogue for months in the Druze-populated area. He emphasized that deploying security forces and government troops to Sweida earlier in the week had helped restore stability, despite Israel's military intervention.

"Israel has repeatedly sought to destabilize and divide us. They once again want to turn our country into a chaotic battlefield, disrupting national unity," he said.

Al-Sharaa committed to protecting the Druze community in Syria. Under the new ceasefire, local leaders will take over security responsibilities in Sweida from government forces.

"We will resolutely deal with those who have overstepped the boundaries and harmed the Druze community, which is an integral part of the nation and is protected by the state," he stated.

Location of Sweida province. Graphic: WP

Location of Sweida province. Graphic: WP

Since al-Sharaa took office, the Syrian army has clashed with Druze militias in Sweida province and near Damascus in April and May, resulting in over 100 deaths. Israel, which also has a significant Druze population, has declared its intention to protect the Druze minority in Syria. However, some analysts believe this is a pretext for Israel's military objective of pushing Syrian government forces away from the buffer zone on the border.

The Syrian government dispatched forces to Sweida on 15/7, ostensibly to monitor a truce reached with Druze leaders after days of bloody clashes between the Druze and Bedouin communities. The two communities have a long-standing feud in the area, occasionally escalating into violent confrontations.

Druze militias subsequently fought both government forces and Bedouin fighters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), based in the UK, reported that the clashes in Sweida have killed over 350 people, including government forces, local gunmen, and civilians, with 27 Druze "executed on the spot".

Thanh Danh (CNN, AFP, Times of Israel)