On July 13, clashes broke out between Bedouin Arab tribes and armed Druze groups in Suwayda. Violence escalated and Israeli airstrikes followed, including on Syrian military positions and infrastructure in Damascus. Israel cited the “protection of Druze communities” as a pretext for its attacks.

KABUL (Pajhwok): The US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, has announced a ceasefire agreement between Syria and Israel, a media report said on Saturday. Barrack said in a post on X early Saturday that the ceasefire was “supported” by Washington and “embraced” by Turkey, Jordan, and Syria’s neighboring countries, Al Jazeera reported.

Violence in Syria's Druze province has triggered Israeli military action, complicating relations with Turkey and creating a power vacuum that Iran could exploit.

Syrian government forces have started withdrawing from the southern province of Sweida following days of vicious clashes with militias from the Druze minority.

Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of trying to fracture Syria and promised to protect its Druze minority on Thursday, after U.S. intervention helped end deadly fighting between government forces and Druze fighters in the south.