Syrian Security Deployment in Sweida Under Ceasefire Deal

Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire arrangement after a week of heavy bloodshed in Sweida, a predominantly Druze province in southern Syria, where over 300 people have been killed amid fierce clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin factions.

Agreement points:

• All heavy weapons held by Druze fighters will be handed over to the Syrian government.
• General Security forces will be deployed across the entirety of Sweida province.
• A ceasefire will be declared; tribal forces will withdraw back to Deraa.
• Bedouins will return to their homes, with their dignity restored.
• Those responsible for the forced displacement and killings of Bedouins will be brought to justice.

Israel and Syria have reached a US-brokered ceasefire that allows Syrian General Security forces to take full control of Sweida province following a week of deadly clashes. Under the agreement, all heavy weapons held by Druze factions will be surrendered to the government, effectively ending the autonomy of local armed groups.

The ceasefire terms include the withdrawal of Bedouin tribal forces back to Deraa province, restoring calm after days of bloodshed that killed over 300 people. Bedouin families who fled or were forcibly displaced during the fighting will be allowed to return to their homes, with guarantees that their dignity and property will be respected.

Syrian officials confirmed that those involved in forced expulsions and killings of Bedouins will face legal prosecution. This condition was reportedly key to winning Bedouin consent for the ceasefire.

Syrian Forces Enter with Regional Backing

According to Syrian sources and confirmed by US officials, the ceasefire was brokered with support from Türkiye, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The latter played a key role, with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan telling US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Riyadh backed Damascus’s efforts to restore authority in Sweida. The move was made despite Israel’s repeated warnings and airstrikes targeting Syrian positions in recent days. Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and other Arab states have strongly condemned Israel’s actions, calling them a violation of Syria’s sovereignty.

Druze Leadership Calls for End to Fighting

Hikmat al-Hijri, the leading Druze religious authority, issued a call for calm, endorsing the entry of Syrian security forces and urging all sides to end the violence. In a statement, Hijri stressed the importance of unity, rejecting further bloodshed and advocating for "reason and humanity" over continued conflict. He reaffirmed the Druze community’s historical role as a force for coexistence in Syria.

Agreement Details and Implementation

The agreement outlines that Syrian security and military units will re-enter Sweida, dissolve all local armed factions, and collect heavy weaponry. Elements from these factions are expected to be absorbed into Syria’s official security forces under the ministries of interior and defense. This step coincided with a US-brokered ceasefire announcement by US envoy Tom Barrack, who also urged Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to lay down arms and work towards rebuilding Syria’s national identity.

Israel initially reacted with hostility to Syrian troop movements but later softened its position, reportedly under US pressure. An Israeli official confirmed a short-term allowance for internal Syrian forces to operate in Sweida, despite previous vows to block any Syrian military deployments in the south.